Major air carriers around the globe suspended air service to Israel after Saturday’s attack launched from Gaza. Tour operators and cruise lines are changing itineraries too, in an effort to avoid Israel as well as canceling trips all together.
Hundreds of flights into Israel have been cancelled or delayed but Ben Gurion Intl. Airport remains operational. Delta Air Lines released a statement saying “Delta is continuously monitoring the security environment in Israel to inform cancellations to our Tel Aviv flight schedule. Our hearts are with all who are impacted as our people work to find safe alternatives for customers trying to travel to/from Tel Aviv…Delta people are keeping those impacted top of mind as we continuously monitor the rapidly evolving security environment and assess our operations based on security guidance and intelligence reports, including the most recent U.S. Department of State travel advisory. We will continue making schedule adjustments, including additional cancellations on a rolling basis, as needed for the safety of our customers and crew while remaining committed to assisting those needing travel.”
The aforementioned U.S. Department of State travel advisory says the following, “Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Violence can occur in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza without warning. There has been a marked increase in demonstrations throughout Israel, some with little or no warning. Some areas have increased risk. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Israel and the West Bank, and Gaza.”
The country information page said this:
“U.S. citizens wishing to depart Israel can check the status of Ben Gurion International Airport and the availability and status of flights here: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/airports/ben-gurion/flight-board/?flightType=departures. Ben Gurion International Airport remains open, but some flights have been reduced or suspended. U.S. carriers have temporarily suspended flights to Israel. Please check with the airlines on the availability of flights and flight status. For more information, please visit the airport’s website here: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/
U.S. citizens can check the status of land border crossings here:
- Allenby/King Hussein Bridge between Israel and the West Bank (https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/alenbi/) – 02-548-2600
- Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein Crossing between Israel and Jordan near Beit Shaan (https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/jordan-river/) – 04-609-3410
- Yitzhak Rabin/Arava Crossing between Israel and Jordan near Eilat (https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/yitzhak-rabin/) – 08-630-0555
- Menachem Begin Crossing between Israel and Egypt near Eilat (https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/menachem-begin/) – 08-636-0999
U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire, often take place without warning. U.S. citizens should monitor news outlets and follow advice from local security and emergency response officials to increase their security awareness.
U.S. Embassy personnel must observe a curfew from 8:00 PM – 6:00 AM and are urged to stay as close to home as possible outside the curfew hours. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from personal travel to the West Bank until further notice.
U.S. citizens should take this into consideration when planning their own activities. ”
El Al press release said their flights were being “operated as scheduled and that the airline was offering flexible cancellations to customers.” The airline is also adding flight service from additional destinations to allow people to return home to Israel.
Many cruise companies with scheduled port calls in Israel will not be stopping in Israeli cities such as Ashdod and Haifa. Cruise operators report exchanging those stops for ports in Turkey and or Greece. Some cruises that embark from Israel have been canceled through the end of October.