As previously reported by Chaim V’Chessed, the United States has joined the dozens of other countries who are providing transportation to their citizens who are stranded in Israel. The first US Transportation Command evacuation flight took off on Friday afternoon, heading to Athens. More followed on Saturday morning.

For the first flights, passengers were contacted and invited to join a specific flight. Beginning Sunday, October 14, US citizens and their immediate family members may arrive at Ben Gurion Airport’s Terminal 3 and approach the desk for US citizens, located on the 2nd floor of the terminal. There will be numerous flights departing, to Athens and Frankfurt, and passengers will be placed, on a first come, first serve basis.

Each traveler must be a US citizen or an immediate family member, such as a spouse or children under age 21 of a US citizen. Each passenger must hold a valid passport. American citizens who do not have valid US passports, should contact Chaim V’Chessed at support@chaimvchessed.com for assistance. Family members who are not US citizens must be eligible for entry to the destination country.   

Please note that passengers will be asked to sign an agreement to repay the U.S. government. However, no exact amount has been released. Chaim V’Chessed has been informed that the amount, if eventually charged, will not exceed the equivalent of a full fare economy ticket to the same destination.

Passengers will not be allowed to choose their destination. This arrangement will be most challenging for passengers, who will be therefore be unable to plan onward flights or lodging.

Both Delta and United have bolstered their flight from Athens to New York/Newark, to accommodate passengers arriving from Israel. We are currently unaware if flights have been added between Frankfurt and the United States. However, there are generally many flights to US destinations on a regular basis.