Irish airline still delivering munitions of war to Israel

Irish airline ASL has started transporting munitions of war to Israel again despite repeated promises to its Dublin-based staff it had stopped.

The company now uses a subsidiary – ASL Airlines Belgium – to transport Israel Defense Forces weapons components flagged as “controlled shipments” containing “hazardous” material.

ASL Airlines Ireland managing director John Rawl told staff last November the group would no longer carry munitions shipments to the Middle East. 

The announcement came following weeks of protests outside ASL’s north county Dublin office following reports published on The Ditch.

Just days later, on 11 November, The Ditch reported that ASL Airlines France – wholly owned by its Dublin-based parent company ASL Aviation Holdings DAC – was still transporting weapons parts to Israel. 

Last month the company issued another statement promising that its subsidiary companies would also stop transporting military goods to Israel.

“We can now state unequivocally and without reservation that ITAR – (meaning International Traffic in Arms Regulations) – freight is not and will not be carried on any ASL airline to Israel, this includes ASL Airlines (Ireland), ASL Airlines (France), ASL Airlines (Belgium) and finally ASL Airlines (UK) which does not operate to Israel”, said a company representative.

The Ditch however has identified a Wednesday morning ASL Airlines Belgium flight from Paris to Cologne carrying munitions components to Israel. 

The three packages, originating in the USA and destined for Tel Aviv, were flagged as “controlled shipments” containing “hazardous” material. 

ASL has been contacted for comment.