El Al is Israel’s largest airline and flag carrier. It operates regular international passenger and cargo flights between its hub at Ben Gurion International Airport and destinations in Africa, Asia, and North America. Since its inaugural flight from Geneva to Tel Aviv in September 1948, the airline has grown to serve 48 destinations on four continents.
As the former national carrier of Israel, El Al has played an important role in the country’s humanitarian rescue efforts, airlifting Jews from Ethiopia, Yemen, and other countries where their lives were at risk. The airline is widely acknowledged as the world’s most secure airline, after foiling many attempted hijackings and terror attacks through its security protocols.
On July 23, 1968, the first and only successful hijacking of an El Al aircraft took place when a 707 carrying 10 crew and 38 passengers was taken over by three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The aircraft was en route from Rome to Lod and the hijackers diverted it to Algiers. Bargaining with the hijackers went on for 40 days. Both the hijackers and the passengers, including 21 Israeli hostages, were eventually freed.
