The Civil Aviation Pilots Union (SPAC) stated that, on Saturday, the TAP crew that carried out the flight between Lisbon and Tel Aviv, in Israel, went through “adversities typical of a war scenario”, such as “retiring to take refuge behind the explosions”. near the hotel.”
“SPAC always maintained contact with the crew that was in Tel Aviv, as well as with TAP, in the person of our COO Cmdt. Mário Chaves, who, after confirming that all safety conditions were met, authorized the carrying out of a flight to Tel Aviv, with the aim of guaranteeing the return of the crew who were staying and the passengers,” reads the union statement.
The crew is now back in Lisbon and the SPAC praised the “serenity and spirit of leadership” of the commander and the “brave and cohesive” crew.
“We are following the operation to Tel Aviv with great care and attention in the coming weeks,” they guarantee.
TAP decided on Saturday to cancel flights scheduled for this Sunday and Monday to or from Tel Aviv due to the situation in Israel.
The flight scheduled for Saturday took place and the plane left Lisbon airport bound for Tel Aviv.
According to the airline, passengers with tickets for these canceled flights will be able to rebook them at no additional cost or request a refund.
The Palestinian movement Hamas launched an unprecedented offensive on Saturday, with more than 700 people killed in Israel. More than 300 people were killed in Gaza in retaliation operations by Israeli authorities.
The death toll, which also includes several thousand wounded, rises as the fighting continues. Along with the Gerald R. Ford, the US authorities will send the cruiser USS Normandy, the destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney and USS Roosevelt, and will increase the presence of squadrons of F-35, F-15, F-16. and A-10 in the region.
Additionally, the Biden administration will “rapidly provide Israel’s defense forces with additional equipment and resources, including ammunition,” and “the first security assistance will begin advancing today and will arrive in the coming days.”
Source: TSF
