Israeli El Al aircraft lands in Turkey for first time in a decade
An aircraft belonging to Israeli airline El Al landed in Istanbul on May 24 for the first time in 10 years following a severe diplomatic spat between the two countries. According to the Israeli Embassy in Turkey, El Al will carry out flights between the two countries, which will "contribute to the trade between them in reaching record levels."
Duvar English
An aircraft belonging to Israeli airline El Al landed in Istanbul on May 24 for the first time in 10 years following a severe diplomatic spat between the two countries.
The Dreamliner aircraft landed at an Istanbul airport at around 7 a.m. to collect some 24 tons of humanitarian aid to help the U.S. fight the coronavirus, Jerusalem Post reported.
The plane is set to return to Tel Aviv from Istanbul before continuing on to New York.
El Al, which has suffered severe economic damage as a result of the coronavirus crisis, has reportedly also applied to Turkish authorities for permission to resume regular flights. In light of the crisis, the Israeli airline has converted some of its aircraft into cargo planes, the report added.
According to the Israeli Embassy in Turkey, El Al will carry out flights between the two countries, which will "contribute to the trade between them in reaching record levels."
Relations between Israel and Ankara sharply deteriorated in 2010 when Turkish flotilla Mavi Marmara bound for the Hamas-run Gaza Strip was raided by Israeli commandos, resulting in the deaths of 10 civilians. Turkey expelled Israel’s ambassador, recalled its own envoy and pulled out of joint war games. While Israeli military sales to Turkey were halted, other trade ties proved resilient.
As part of a reconciliation effort in 2016, Israel paid out 20 million dollars in compensation to the families of the victims.