Flight to Safety: Germans Flee Middle East Conflicts via Jordan
Aircraft originating from Jordan successfully touches down in Frankfurt, Germany. - Aircraft originating from Jordan touched down at Frankfurt Airport.
In the middle of the intensifying war in the Middle East, a lifeline for German citizens finds itself in the form of special flights out of Jordan. The plane, after landing in Frankfurt late Wednesday evening, had 171 passengers—Germans who were stranded in Israel.
A second special flight is planned for Thursday, but it's already fully booked. The German Foreign Office promises another flight soon, given the continuous chaos in the region. Germans in Israel must make their way to Jordan on their own for these special flights—a journey fraught with danger and uncertainty due to the current volatile environment.
Other European nations, like Poland, have taken desperate measures in place of their nationals by organizing convoys headed towards Jordan. The German Foreign Office encourages Germans to register on their Elefand crisis preparedness list.
From the Foreign Office, spokespersons express that these flights aren't official evacuations but "commercial special flights." Airlines have limited flight options, causing the need for these extraordinary measures. The flights will run "as long as the situation allows and there is a need."
The tensions in the region are sky-high, with Israeli military operations in Iran continuing, along with Iranian shelling on Israel. This has led to the closure of airspace over both countries, making departures impossible.
For Germans in Israel, the safest course is to follow the Israeli authorities' instructions diligently. However, the Foreign Office advises against organized travel from Israel to Jordan, as it creates additional risks. Those affected are urged to abide by Israeli security measures cautiously.
Over 4,000 Germans are registered on the Elefand crisis preparedness list, stating that they are in Israel. The situation in Iran is equally dire, with over 1,000 registrations. Germans in Iran are advised to journey overland to neighboring countries with open border crossings, such as Armenia and Turkey. Leaving via Azerbaijan is also possible in some cases. Travels from these countries can continue to Germany on commercial flights.
In summary:
- Current Violence: Intense fighting between Israel and Iran has triggered airspace closures across Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan, causing numerous flight cancellations and disruptions[2][1].
- Special Flights Organized: The German Foreign Office has orchestrated special flights from Amman, Jordan, to Frankfurt, repatriating German citizens in collaboration with Jordanian authorities[3][4].
- Challenges Ahead: Evacuation entails passengers crossing the land border from Israel to Jordan independently[4].
- Dangerous Situation: Authorities emphasize the dangers in the region and urge citizens to carefully consider the risks before attempting evacuation, given the volatile circumstances[4].
- The community policy introduced by the German Foreign Office encourages Germans to register on the Elefand crisis preparedness list for timely updates and assistance during emergencies, such as the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
- Amidst the chaos in the region caused by war-and-conflicts, especially those involving Israel and Iran, employment policies have been modified to allow for flexible working arrangements and travel options for Germans stranded in the Middle East, facilitating their return to Germany via special flights from Jordan.
- In response to the volatile general-news situation in the Middle East, lifestyle adjustments and travel plans might need to be reconsidered for the near future, as the ongoing conflicts and closed airspaces may impact the safety and security of tourists and residents alike.
