Israir Gets Airbus Back; Stranded Passengers Return Home

YERUSHALAYIM

The story of the Israir Airbus seized in a financial dispute by authorities in Lisbon had a happy ending on Wednesday, as the plane was released and stranded passengers made their way home.

Israir Airlines CEO Uri Sirkis reached an agreement with EuroAtlantic chairman Tomaz Metello regarding the eight-year legal dispute between the carriers over an aircraft leased to Israir. Sirkis flew urgently to Lisbon on Tuesday to settle the conflict after one of its Airbus A320 aircrafts was impounded by Portuguese officials. He and Metello “immediately ended the legal dispute,” an Israir statement said.

The statement continued, “The two sides have reached an understanding about the amount that Israir will pay to EuroAtlantic, which will withdraw its request to impound the Israir plane in Lisbon. They also agreed that after the dispute is ended they will enter into commercial cooperation procedures in the field of tourism and hotels.”

The 150 passengers who were stranded in the affair made their way home, some returning to Israel on Monday night on another carrier. Others were accommodated in a local hotel, according to Globes.

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