ANKARA (CIHAN) - The Israeli state-run El Al Airline Company has suspended flights to and from Turkey due to a disagreement over security arrangements at Istanbul Ataturk airport. The Israeli Foreign Ministry is currently undertaking talks with Turkish government officials for the resumption of flights.
Israeli officials stated that flights to Turkey - the main tourism destination for Israelis - were suspended when Turkish authorities decided to limit the numbers of Israeli security guards posted at Ataturk Airport. Israeli sources claimed that Turkey had formerly agreed to allow a certain number of armed Israeli guards to work at Ataturk Airport. However, the same sources claimed that Turkey later changed its decision and reduced the number of guards to be posted at the airport.
Israeli sources said that the suspension of flights was not related to yesterday's Istanbul and Ankara blasts which left 4 people dead and nearly 25 wounded.
There are daily charter flights from Israel to Istanbul and Antalya during the tourism season.
Israeli sources said that they have taken the necessary measures to prevent passengers being stranded.