Flyin' Home: Germans Evacuate Middle East Choas on Special Flights
Arrived extraordinary flight from Jordan at Frankfurt airport - Arrival of a special flight from Jordan in Frankfurt airport
Step aboard the flight of freedom! A special plane, freshly landed in Frankfurt, brought Germans and their loved ones from the war-torn Middle East, specifically Israel. The plane touched down in the evening, safely delivering 171 passengers.
Another special flight is scheduled for tomorrow, but it's already fully reserved. The air force is prepping for yet another special flight, as announced by the Foreign Office. The escape route for Germans seeking refuge is navigating themselves to Jordan.
Neighboring countries like Poland have taken action, organizing convoys to snatch their citizens from Jordan. The Foreign Office urges Germans to join its crisis preparedness list, Elefand.
Earlier, the Foreign Office declined organized trips from Israel to Jordan's airport, citing potential risks. The Israeli authorities advise travelers to adhere to their security guidelines, emphasizing the risks of land travel and crowds at present.
As tensions rise between Israel and Iran, the airspace over both countries remains closed, leaving no viable flight options for departure. "Military operations between Israel and Iran are ongoing, and Iranian shelling on Israel persists, resulting in the closure of both countries' airspace," revealed an official from the Foreign Office.
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The Road to Safety: Self-Reliant Travel for Germans
Germans wishing to leave Israel must navigate their way to Jordan independently. To lessen the risks, the Foreign Office advises following Israeli authorities' security guidelines, "reiterating that they advise against land travel and group gatherings at present."
Currently, over 4,000 Germans are registered on the German crisis preparedness list Elefand, citing their location in Israel. In Iran, a staggering 1,000 registration figures pour in.
For Germans in Iran, the Foreign Office recommends overland travel to Armenia and Turkey, as both nations' border crossings are open. It's also possible to exit via the border with Azerbaijan, although this may present unique challenges. From any of these three countries, one can continue their journey to Germany via commercial flights. "Germans should seize these travel opportunities to advance their journey to Germany," the Foreign Office urges. "Our Tehran embassy stands ready to facilitate departure, intervening with Iranian authorities when necessary."
Context and Connections
- Airspace Restrictions: The conflict between Israel and Iran has caused widespread airspace closures in Iran, Iraq, Israel, and large swaths of Jordan, severely disrupting air travel in the region[4][5]. Airlines have responded by either halting or re-routing flights to avoid restricted airspace. For instance, Emirates, Lufthansa, Air France, United, and Delta have suspended flights to the region[4].
- Special Flights: Germany organizes special commercial flights from Jordan to help its citizens flee the Middle East, representing a broader initiative to ensure the safety of its nationals amid escalating tensions[2].
- Airlines' Response: Several airlines like Qatar Airways and Lufthansa have suspended flights to Iran because of airspace restrictions[3][4]. Israel's airspace is currently off-limits, although limited one-way "recovery flights" remain[2][4].
- The Foreign Office is organizing special flights for Germans seeking refuge in Germany, which is a response to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in war-torn regions like Israel.
- As political tensions rise between Israel and Iran, community policy and employment policy for Germans in the Middle East become critical. The Foreign Office urges Germans to follow Israeli security guidelines, join the crisis preparedness list Elefand, and avoid land travel and group gatherings, in an effort to ensure their safety.
