El Al's wings clipped in Europe over arms: Radio

Jerusalem, Sept 5: Five European countries are refusing landing rights to aircraft from the Israeli national carrier El Al that are transporting military equipment to the Jewish state, Israel Radio reported today.

It quoted an airline official as saying the new restrictions imposed by Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal meant some incoming El Al flights carrying arms would not be able to refuel enroute, and would have to reduce their cargo load.

El Al was not immediately available for comment.

European scrutiny of Israeli weapons imports heightened during Israel's recent war against the Lebanese guerrilla group Hizbollah.

London drew criticism at home over stop-overs in a British airport by flights carrying military equipment to Israel from its U.S. ally. British media reported that those shipments included heavy ordnance to be used against Lebanese targets.

Some El Al planes and pilots were mobilised by the air force during the war to fly in military supplies, Israel Radio said.

REUTERS

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