Airlines suspend flights to Israel

U.S. airlines suspend Israel flights, citing security concerns

By Devon Sayers and Jason Hanna, CNN

updated 12:14 PM EDT, Tue July 22, 2014

(CNN) -- Several U.S. airlines suspended flights to Israel on Tuesday because of security concerns, with one company specifically citing a rocket attack near Tel Aviv.

Delta Air Lines and American Airlines both told CNN they suspended service to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. US Airways made the same decision, the Israel Airport Authority told CNN.

Citing "reports of a rocket or associated debris" near the airport, Delta said it suspended service between its hub in New York and Tel Aviv "to ensure the safety and security of our customers and employees." ...

http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/22/travel/israel-flights-suspended/index.html

http://www.cp24.com/news/air-canada...-aviv-flight-after-rocket-explosion-1.1926261

"Last Updated Tuesday, July 22, 2014 4:09PM EDT

TORONTO -- Air Canada cancelled a scheduled flight from Toronto to Tel Aviv on Tuesday, joining many U.S. and European airlines that were prohibited from flying to Israel's main airport following a rocket explosion.

Flight AC84 had been scheduled to depart from Toronto's Pearson International Airport at 6:10 p.m.

"We will continue to evaluate the situation going forward, and provide updates as needed," Air Canada spokeswoman Isabelle Arthur said in an email.


The announcement came shortly after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration prohibited U.S. airlines from flying to Tel Aviv for 24 hours "due to the potentially hazardous situation created by the armed conflict in Israel and Gaza."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israel...el-aviv-flight-over-safety-concerns-1.2714488

" Airlines and passengers are growing more anxious about safety since last week, when a Malaysia Airlines jet was shot down over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.

The FAA said that the ban on flights is for 24 hours beginning at 12:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

The statement said the rocket strike landed about 1.6 kilometres from Ben Gurion International Airport on Tuesday morning.

The notice only applies to U.S. airlines, since the FAA has no authority over carriers from other countries.

The agency said it will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation, and that updated instructions will be provided to U.S. airlines "as soon as conditions permit, but no later than 24 hours" from the time the directive went into force."

" Several European airlines also suspended flights to Tel Aviv, including Lufthansa and Air France.

Violence erupted in the region earlier this month after Hamas rockets began landing in Israeli territory and Israel responded with a military operation in Gaza.

Israel's Transportation Ministry called on the airlines to reverse their decisions and continue flying to Tel Aviv, insisting that the airport is safe.

"Ben-Gurion Airport is safe and completely guarded and there is no reason whatsoever that American companies would stop their flights and hand terror a prize," the department said in a statement."

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/air-...-over-safety-concerns-1.1925861#ixzz38EPUreE0

U.S. carriers, too.

Missile Fears: Feds Ban Airlines From Flying to Tel Aviv Airport

Federal aviation officials issued an order to airlines prohibiting them from flying to and from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport for 24 hours after a rocket struck near the airport earlier Tuesday. The Federal Aviation Administration said the notice to airmen, also called a NOTAM, applies only to U.S. operators. A spokesman for the airport said it is safe for takeoffs and landings, however. The notice came as several major U.S. carriers canceled flights in and out of Israel amid heightened concerns over the safety of passenger aircraft flying over war zones. A Malaysian Air Lines jet with 298 aboard was brought down as it was flying over contested Ukrainian territory...

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/mi...-ban-airlines-flying-tel-aviv-airport-n162096

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?250895-Airlines-suspend-flights-to-Israel

FAA Extends Israel Flight Ban

US flights to Israel will continue to be banned for up to another 24 hours amid security concerns, the FAA announced Wednesday. The move extends the flight suspension set Tuesday after a rocket fell approximately one mile of the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. The NOTAM, or notice to airmen, sent thousands of fliers scrambling to change their plans. Several European carriers announced they were extending bans from yesterday as well. Meanwhile, US Airways/American Airlines announced it would resume service to Israel on Thursday, pending FAA approval. The agency said it was working with Israel "to determine whether potential risks to U.S. civil aviation are mitigated so the agency can resolve concerns as quickly as possible." ...

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/middle-east-unrest/faa-extends-israel-flight-ban-n163066

New York Mayor flew to Tel Aviv airport, claiming it was safe. I believe it was not long after his arrival, two bombs went off very near that airport. Here's hoping he can get back to NYC!

Air Canada Flight AC84 Aborts Landing at Ben Gurion Airport

An Israel-bound Air Canada passenger jet was forced to abort its landing after Hamas fired rockets at an airport on Friday. The Boeing 767 was just five miles from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport when it was advised by air traffic control to keep flying "until airspace conditions could be confirmed as safe for landing," Air Canada spokeswoman Isabelle Arthur told NBC News. After altering course, Flight AC84 landed 10 minutes later at 12:07 p.m. local time (5:07 a.m. ET). The jet originated at Toronto's Pearson airport...

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/mi...c84-aborts-landing-ben-gurion-airport-n164781