An Israir airplane. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

British aviation authorities have launched an investigation after a service vehicle struck an Israir aircraft preparing to depart for Tel Aviv from London Luton Airport, amid growing Israeli concerns over a possible nationalist motive in what officials describe as the third incident involving an Israeli carrier.

Israir Flight 116 had been scheduled to leave London Luton Airport at 5 p.m. local time on Thursday, heading to Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport with an expected arrival shortly after midnight.

However, Israir — Israel’s second-largest airline — was forced to cancel and reschedule the flight after a towing vehicle collided with and damaged the aircraft, leaving the plane out of service, disrupting travel for about 300 passengers, and prompting a technical investigation.

After hours of uncertainty and frustration, passengers were either taken to nearby hotels or rebooked on later flights, while Sabbath-observant travelers remained stranded in London until Sunday before they could continue their journey to Israel.

Israeli authorities are now examining possible courses of action with local counterparts after senior aviation officials raised concerns that the damage to the aircraft may have been deliberate.

Passengers described a chaotic scene after the collision, saying they remained inside the aircraft for hours without air conditioning while awaiting updates, with some reporting minor medical issues before they were finally allowed to disembark.

“Just had the most horrific experience I’ve ever had on an airplane,” Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll wrote in a post on X, describing her experience aboard the delayed Israir flight.

“We were on [Israir plane] for over 2.5 hours with no AC. Doors closed most of the time. Children & adults panicking. An absolute NIGHTMARE,” she continued.

just had the most horrific experience I’ve ever had on an airplane. We were on @Israir_israel plan for over 2.5 hours with no AC. Doors closed most of the time. Children & adults panicking. An absolute NIGHTMARE. Apparently @LDNLutonAirport would not let the pilot turn on the…

— Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll (@skjask) July 16, 2026

Israir apologized to passengers for the disruption caused by what it described as “an event beyond its control,” saying the airline remained in contact with travelers and continued assisting them until they reached their final destination.

“The safety and security of the passengers is the company’s top priority,” the airline said in a statement.

For its part, London Luton Airport said it was working closely with relevant operators and authorities to investigate the incident, while dismissing suggestions that the collision was a deliberate act.

“Aviation is a highly regulated industry, and safety and security always remain our highest priority,” the statement reads. “Any suggestion that this was a deliberate act is entirely unfounded. London Luton Airport has an exemplary safety record and we will work with the relevant operators to identify any lessons that can further strengthen safety and operational performance.”