Israeli president's plane takes 8-hour detour to Kazakhstan after denied Turkish airspace: Report

Israeli President Isaac Herzog's aircraft took an 8-hour alternative route to Kazakhstan on Monday after being unable to use Turkish airspace.

Israeli media outlet Channel 12 and Maariv reported that the plane flew via Europe and Russia to avoid Türkiye's airspace, with Maariv attributing the detour directly to President Erdogan.

8-hour flight via Europe and Russia

Israeli Channel 12 reported that Herzog's plane took an alternative route to avoid Turkish airspace on the way to a two-day official state visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Maariv said the detour was due to "security, diplomatic and operational considerations" and that the route included "avoiding passage through certain airspaces, including Türkiye."

The paper's headline attributed the rerouting directly: "Because of Erdogan: The Long Flight of President Herzog."

Herzog announced his arrival in the Kazakh capital Astana on X.

The map shows the route of Israeli President Isaac Herzog's El Al flight LY91 to Astana from Tel Aviv on April 27, 2026. (Photo via flightradar24)

Israeli and Kazakh presidents met in Astana, Kazakhstan's capital city.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog was welcomed with an official ceremony by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Akorda Presidential Palace.

Herzog, who is in Kazakhstan for an official visit to strengthen bilateral ties, was greeted by an honor guard.

April 27, 2026 05:02 PM GMT+03:00