With Israeli airports shuttered due to the ongoing war with Iran, a wave of travelers sought unconventional and costly means to leave the country, many through the Sharm el-Sheikh airport in Egypt. Some have paid staggering sums, often upwards of tens of thousands of dollars, for private jet charters.
Among those who flew in was the Gerrer Rebbe, whose travel arrangements have drawn particular attention.
In an unusual scene in Williamsburg, one of America’s top frum travel agents was summoned to the private residence of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe. The agent had just received a call from the Rebbe’s personal assistant and promptly closed his office to make his way over. Unsure of what urgent matter awaited him, he entered the Rebbe’s room with curiosity.
The Rebbe quickly put him at ease and got straight to the point: “Several people, chassidim and businessmen alike, are asking me about traveling to Eretz Yisroel. They say the only way is through Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. I want to know before I advise them: What is this place? Who works there? Do Jews normally travel through it? And how long is the journey from there to Israel? That’s why I called you. I want to give an informed answer.”
The agent remained in the Rebbe’s room for some time, offering detailed explanations about the routes, organized shuttles from Eilat, and the current travel infrastructure. He reassured the Rebbe that even senior admorim and rabbanim were choosing this path, which was deemed safe under the circumstances.
As for the Gerrer Rebbe himself, he too traveled by private jet—both on his initial flight to the U.S. and now on his return—thanks to the generosity of a major American philanthropist eager to assist the Rebbe and his entourage during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, scores of Israelis have been flocking to Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh airport and Jordan’s Aqaba airport to escape or return to Israel. Some chose to charter private jets, spending fortunes to leave what they viewed as a danger zone. One group of just 13 passengers reportedly paid about $38,000 per person to charter a private jet to New York over the weekend.
With commercial air travel from Israel largely frozen, a mini-industry has emerged to ferry passengers out of the country. Several chareidi travel companies are offering charter flights from Sharm el-Sheikh and Aqaba to Larnaca, Cyprus. One Beit Shemesh-based agency has sold one-way tickets from Aqaba to Larnaca for 2,990 shekel.
Some have tried leaving Israel by boat from Ashdod to Cyprus, but the sea journey proved nauseating. Many passengers reportedly turned back within 30 minutes, one quipping to his friend, “I’d rather buy a small apartment in Yerushalayim than ride this crazy boat through the open sea.”
But for others, cost was no object. They opted for the so-called “oligarch route”: a fully managed escape that included door-to-door service. These luxury packages featured pick-up from Yerushalayim, transfer to the Taba border, crossing into Sinai, security-escorted vehicles to Sharm el-Sheikh, and from there, a private flight to New York or other destinations.
One such jet—a Bombardier Global 7500 used by a group of 13—resembled a flying hotel. It featured a lounge area, full-size reclining beds, kosher catering, attentive flight attendants, and two pilots. The total cost: approximately $500,000.
Prices to European destinations were slightly lower, though still in the tens of thousands of dollars, making them viable only for businesspeople needing to return to their routines.
Several families flew to London for simchos last week. Upon returning to Israel, they reported seeing long lines of Israelis waiting to travel, a stark contrast to the near-empty flights they had taken earlier. Still, they emphasized that they encountered no antisemitism along the way and praised the airline staff for their courteous service.
In a time of chaos and closed borders, some are paying steep prices for mobility, but for others, the cost is worth it to remain close to home, family, and routine.
{Matzav.com Israel}