Controversial flights to South Africa: Global aviation company denies links with Israel

Key Concepts

• Mysterious Chartered Flights: Unexplained flights carrying Palestinian passengers to South Africa.
• Humanitarian Grounds: The basis on which South Africa initially allowed passengers to disembark.
• Project to Depopulate Gaza / Ethnic Cleansing: The South African government's accusation regarding the purpose of these flights.
• Global Aviation: The South African company operating the chartered flights.
• Kibris Turkish Airlines (KTA): The entity that contracted Global Aviation for the flights.
• Al-Mudged Europe: The organization responsible for arranging the "evacuation flights."
• Tom Jana Lind: The reported leader of Al-Mudged Europe, with alleged ties to an Israeli military unit involved in forced Palestinian transfers.
• Tradewinds Aviation: A Nairobi-based company responsible for passenger boarding in Kenya.
• Visa Exemption: The stated reason for passenger entry into South Africa by KTA.
• Accommodation in Mumbai: Evidence suggesting a different intended destination for some passengers.

South Africa's Stance on Palestinian Flights

The South African government has declared it will not permit any further "mysteriously chartered flights" carrying Palestinians from Gaza. This decision follows two flights that brought at least 300 Palestinians to Johannesburg. The government is investigating the circumstances surrounding these landings, including their origin and involved parties. Despite these investigations, South Africa initially allowed the Palestinian passengers to enter the country on humanitarian grounds. However, the government views these flights as a "project to depopulate Gaza" and a form of "ethnic cleansing."

Flight Operations and Involved Companies

Both chartered flights were operated by a South African company named Global Aviation. While passengers from the first flight were granted immediate entry, those on the second flight experienced delays of up to 12 hours on board after landing.

Global Aviation, in written responses to Al Jazeera's inquiries, stated that it was contracted by Kibris Turkish Airlines (KTA), a broker of chartered flights, to provide an aircraft and crew for a flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg. Global Aviation denies any direct relationship with Al-Mudged Europe, the organization responsible for arranging these "evacuation flights."

Al-Mudged Europe and Alleged Connections

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that Al-Mudged Europe is led by Tom Jana Lind, an Israeli-Estonian individual. Lind is alleged to have worked with a unit within the Israeli military that has been accused of the forced transfer of Palestinians from Gaza. Global Aviation maintains it has no engagement with the Israeli government.

Global Aviation's Procedures and Information Provided

Global Aviation claims that, in accordance with standard procedures, it informed South African authorities about the flights and their passengers 24 hours prior to landing. The company states it was informed by KTA that the passengers were eligible for South Africa's 90-day visa exemption. Global Aviation also indicated that Tradewinds Aviation, a company based in Nairobi, Kenya, was responsible for the boarding of the connecting flight to Johannesburg. The company stated it has no knowledge of who managed check-in and boarding from Raman Airport in Israel. Al Jazeera has attempted to contact KTA but has not received a response.

Passenger Accounts and Discrepancies in Destination

Passengers interviewed by Al Jazeera reported that they were unaware they would be landing in South Africa until their plane changed in Nairobi, after departing from Israel. This is corroborated by accommodation confirmation provided by one passenger, which indicated a booking in Mumbai, India, from November 13th to 20th. Attempts to contact the listed travel agency, Global Horizons, proved unsuccessful, with the UK phone number being disconnected and emails bouncing back.

Financial Questions

The cost of a chartered flight from Nairobi to Johannesburg is estimated to be around $80,000. Questions remain unanswered regarding who financed these flights.

Conclusion

The South African government's strong stance against further chartered flights from Gaza, coupled with accusations of depopulation and ethnic cleansing, highlights significant concerns about the nature and purpose of these operations. The involvement of multiple international entities, including Global Aviation, Kibris Turkish Airlines, and Al-Mudged Europe, along with alleged links to Israeli military actions, creates a complex and opaque scenario. Discrepancies in passenger accounts regarding their intended destinations and the lack of transparency from some involved parties underscore the need for thorough investigation into these flights.