So exciting! It's that time of the year again - on Wednesday 26th May, Yom Haatzmaut 2023 - the Israeli Air Force Fly-By (The Matas) returns to salute the day in Israel’s skies.
The Flyover will take place from 9:30-14:30.
It will pass over dozens of cities and central points in Israel, from Dan to Eilat.
Download the IAF app for details and timings:
Apple: https://go.idf.il/s4z1r0h8y2 Android: https://go.idf.il/p7a1t1h9j2
Click on the button at the bottom once you open the IAF app - מטסי יום העצמאות - and the app will take you to the live map with more exact times for your the flyover, and types of planes to expect over your city!
Videos in this article are credit to the IAF Website
This year's flight is on the theme "together all the way". Emphasizing, the part each different and diverse group in Israeli society plays in the combined Israeli story.
Fighter planes, combat helicopters, attack helicopters, refueling and transport planes, and remotely piloted aircraft (RTVs) will take part in the flight. Police helicopters will also take part as an expression of the cooperation between the security forces, to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut 2023 together.
At 08:45 there will be a flying salute to the one hundred and twenty outstanding soldiers in the festive ceremony over the President's house.
The Air Force's aerobatic team will perform eight spectacular air shows with the "Lark" planes between the hours of 09:00 and 15:00 over the following cities and bases:
• Jerusalem
• Ezer Weizman Air Force base in Ramat David
• Tiberias
• Haifa beaches
• Tel Aviv beaches
• Airforce Tel Nof base
• Ashdod beaches
• The Air Force Museum at Hatzerim base Click here to see the list of cities and the times to expect to see the planes overhead!
(This is still based on last years details)
Link to the IAF updated site for Yom Haatzmaut 2023 will be here as soon as they release it!
Bases that will open to visitors this year:
Ezer Weizman Air Force base in Ramat David בסיס חיל האוויר ע"ש עזר ויצמן ברמת דוד
Tel Nof Airforce Base בסיס חיל האוויר תל נוף
The Air Force Museum at Hatzerim base מוזיאון חיל האוויר בחצרים
If you visit a base, you MUST leave extra early if you want to make the most of the day and not end up stuck in the car. It is an incredible experience and worth a ridiculously early wake up!
We recommend going to Jerusalem, or to the coast to get good viewings of the flyover - but remember to set out early to avoid getting stuck in traffic!