(NEWS) Israel Cancels Nigeria Flights Fearing Terror Threat

"As a result, the airline has canceled a series of flights planned to ferry thousands of pilgrims to Israel and back to Nigeria, Haaretz has learned.

The security services have barred EL AL from flying to and from Nigeria because of concerns that the Israeli airliner's aircraft and crew will become terrorist targets. As a result of the decision the airline has canceled a series of flights planned to ferry thousands of pilgrims to Israel and back to Nigeria, Haaretz has learned.

The original plan was for EL AL to carry out the flights on behalf of a local Nigerian firm - TAT - starting on October 20. The security ban applies to all Israeli airlines. It is still unclear how the thousands of pilgrims will travel to Israel from Nigeria. One option is for a foreign airline to carry out the flights, however it will have to meet Israel's stringent security requirements."