Israeli authorities are investigating whether a service vehicle collision with an Israir aircraft at a London airport was a deliberate act motivated by nationalism. The incident occurred as the plane prepared to depart for Tel Aviv on Friday and resulted in flight cancellation. It marked the third time in less than a year that an Israir plane has been struck by an airport service vehicle at the London facility.
Following the collision, damage assessment determined the aircraft was unfit to operate. Senior aviation officials have questioned whether the repeated incidents could be intentional, leading Israeli authorities to raise concerns with aviation and UK officials while exploring further steps with local authorities.
The cancellation disrupted passenger operations significantly. Some travelers were placed in hotels while others were rebooked on flights departing the same day. Passengers observing Shabbos could not travel before sunset Friday and remained in London until Sunday, when they returned to Israel.
Passengers reported spending approximately an hour inside the aircraft without air conditioning before it was shut down. They waited another hour before being notified of the cancellation.