The US Federal Aviation Administration has updated its guidance over flying into Tel Aviv Airport, with the body forbidding US airlines from serving the airport on the grounds of safety.
The guidance states:
Today the FAA issued another Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) informing U.S. airlines that yesterday’s NOTAM flight remains in effect for Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport for up-to-an-additional-24-hours while the FAA continues to monitor and evaluate the situation.
The agency is working closely with the Government of Israel to review the significant new information they have provided and determine whether potential risks to U.S. civil aviation are mitigated so the agency can resolve concerns as quickly as possible.
The agency instituted the flight prohibition Tuesday, July 22, in response to a rocket strike that landed approximately one mile from the airport.
The NOTAM applies only to U.S. operators, and has no authority over foreign airlines operating to or from the airport. The agency’s responsibility is to act with an abundance of caution in protecting those traveling on U.S. airlines.
FAA.gov – http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=16714&cid=TW236 (where the NOTAM is).
The European Aviation Safety Agency is “Strongly recommending” that airlines do not serve Tel Aviv too, stating:
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a Service Information Bulletin with strong recommendation to avoid Tel Aviv Ben Gourion International Airport until further notice. The recommendation applies to all European airlines.
EASA Service bulletin link: https://www.easa.europa.eu/newsroom-and-events/news/strong-recommendation-avoid-tel-aviv-ben-gourion-international-airport
US Airways, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have suspended their operations to Tel Aviv, with European carriers following including Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Tamron, Germanwings, Turkish Airlines, Korean Air Alitalia, Wizz Air and EasyJet.
Some carriers are continuing to operate services between Tel Aviv and their home bases – notably El Al, British Airways and Aeroflot.
The cancellations and suspension in service are now causing backlogs of passengers who are “stuck” at either end, trying to leave Tel Aviv or trying to enter Israel by air.
If you have got tickets to travel to the area over the next few days, there remains a chance that your flights will remain cancelled for a while – it’s best to check with your airline to see what plans are in place for rebooking or refunds.
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