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Israeli PM’s Plane Forced to Take Detour around Indonesia

The Israeli prime minister was forced to take a two and a half-hour detour en route to Australia, apparently to avoid Indonesian airspace as it was disallowed from venturing into the Muslim country's airspace.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with Australian Premier Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney, Australia, February 22, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Sydney on Wednesday for a four-day visit, the first time an Israeli prime minister has visited Australia, MINA reported.

Netanyahu plane’s detour around Indonesia

The average direct flight from Singapore to Sydney takes about eight and a half hours; however, Netanyahu’s total flight time was just over 11 hours as his flight path dodged Indonesia’s airspace.

A source in Netanyahu’s delegation confirmed the route to the Guardian.

The flight was operated by El Al, the flag carrier of Israel that is disallowed from venturing into the airspace of many Muslim nations, including Pakistan.

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