Israir Flight Delayed in London After Unusual Ground Vehicle Accident

On January 16, 2026, Israir Flight 116 was canceled just hours before the Sabbath as a ground service vehicle at a London airport collided with the plane during towing, causing damage that prevented the flight from operating. This incident marks the third such accident at the airport, with no formal investigation reportedly conducted by airport management so far. Passengers were evacuated from the aircraft and taken to the terminal to await their luggage. Israir arranged hotel accommodations and transportation for the affected passengers and offered reimbursements for those who secured their own lodging, covering expenses for accommodation, travel, and food according to company policy.

Israir is actively coordinating with relevant parties to operate a rescue flight later the same day to return passengers to Israel as soon as possible. Passengers observing the Sabbath, unable to fly on Saturday, will be repatriated on Sunday. The airline apologized for the inconvenience caused by the incident, which was beyond its control, and emphasized that passenger safety and security remain its top priorities.