Approximately 400 Israeli travelers have been left stranded at Prague's airport for two days following the cancellation of their Arkia flight to Israel. The foreign airline operating the flight for Arkia refused to fly to Israel due to escalating security concerns in the region.
Passengers report dire conditions at the airport, with one traveler stating, "Everyone here has been sprawled out like dogs on the floor for three days." Families with children and elderly individuals are among those affected.
Frustrated travelers claim they've received little to no communication from Arkia. Despite reaching out to various official channels, including the Foreign Ministry's emergency center and the Israeli Embassy in Prague, passengers say they've been left without clear information or assistance.
Arkia has responded to the situation, stating, "We're doing everything to solve the problem. A flight is expected to depart today at 12:15 and another one will depart around 1 AM." The company explained that the foreign planes they typically use for this route have left Israel.
This incident is part of a broader trend of flight cancellations to Israel by foreign airlines, triggered by recent assassinations in Beirut and Tehran and fears of potential retaliation by Iran and its regional allies.
The Israel Airports Authority has advised passengers to anticipate potential delays in their return to the country as the situation develops.
* Channel 12 contributed to this report.
