Israeli airlines have added flights from Ukraine as the specter of a Russian invasion hangs over the country. Three Israeli carriers - El Al, Arkia and Israir - have bolstered their flights from Ukraine. There will now be over 30 flights available to Israel from Ukraine this week.

Israeli airlines offer rescue flights from Ukraine

As airlines begin to cease operating through Ukrainian airspace, Israeli carriers are increasing the number of available flights from Ukraine to help Israelis leave the country before a possible Russian invasion.

El Al, Arkia and Israir have upped their schedules from Ukraine this week and are considering additional flights to evacuate Israelis and non-Israeli Ukrainian Jews in Ukraine.

• El Al has added a flight from Kiev on Monday and will schedule more flights if necessary. Fares start at $250.
• Arkia has scheduled a flight from Kiev on Monday and one from Odessa on Tuesday. Fares start at $300.
• Israir claims it will operate additional flights out of Kiev this week. Fares start at $305 and include 8KG of luggage.

By Sunday evening, over 6,000 Israelis had registered with the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine to receive emergency updates. Israel's Foreign Ministry estimates there are up to 15,000 Israelis in the country right now.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said on Sunday evening,

"Come back to Israel before things get complicated. We are still hoping that the crisis is solved through diplomatic means, but we also have a responsibility as a country toward Israeli citizens there, as well as toward the Jews."

Israeli Defense Forces on standby

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has been told to prepare for the eventuality of military intervention should the situation worsen.

However, this is considered a last-ditch option with commercial airlines expected to handle the evacuation effectively. There are 32 scheduled commercial flights from Ukraine to Israel this week, with more depending on demand.

Gantz said,

"[IDF assistance will] depend on the scenarios and assessments of the situation."

Should Ukrainian airspace shut down, Israel has contingency plans to conduct land evacuations through Poland, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, and Slovakia.

Prime Minister calls on citizens to leave Ukraine

On Saturday, Israel's Prime Minister, Naftali Bennet, met with security and diplomatic officials to discuss the Ukraine situation. Israel's Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning for Ukraine on Saturday and urged all Israelis to leave "as soon as possible."

After the security meeting on Saturday, a spokesperson for Bennett said,

"It was agreed to raise the travel warning for the area, along with calling on Israeli citizens to immediately leave. An augmentation of civil flights on the Israel-Ukraine route will be examined."

Israeli officials believe that the evacuation window is narrowing and could be shut by Wednesday morning.

Are you in Ukraine right now? Have you booked a repatriation flight with one of the above airlines? Let us know in the comments.