Two flights carrying parts for the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) F-35 fighter jet flew through Irish territory on their way to Israel earlier this month.
German national airline Lufthansa delivered the munitions from the US to Israel's Nevatim air base, with both flights stopping in Germany.
Lufthansa flight LH439 departed Fort Worth, Texas on 13 February with Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet parts for Israel onboard. The aircraft entered Irish airspace over county Kerry and exited above county Cork.
On 6 February Lufthansa flight LH453 carried F-35 components from Los Angeles to Munich for delivery to Israel. This flight entered Ireland over county Donegal and exited over county Down.
Under Irish law any flight carrying munitions of war must receive an exemption from the minister for transport. Failure to do so is a criminal offense.
The Ditch has asked both the Department of Transport and transport minister Darragh O'Brien about whether permission was granted for either flight to transport munitions through Irish airspace en route to Israel.
Commercial airlines continue to carry weapons illegally through Irish airspace despite the Department of Transport claiming it is investigating the matter following reports by The Ditch last year.
In December a FedEx flight from Memphis to Cologne carried F-35 fighter jet components through Irish territory to Israel's Nevatim air base. Another November flight transported more than 300 kilogrammes of similar parts to Liège.
Last month The Ditch reported that Challenge Airlines is still illegally bringing weapons through Irish airspace, with flight ICL982 carrying 766 kilogrammes of F-35 combat jet parts through Irish airspace without permission from the minister for transport.
The Department of Transport has been contacted for comment.
