Ben Gurion Flights Nearly Halved

The Israeli declaration of war against the Islamic terrorist group Hamas has precipitated worsening violence, abductions, and intensifying land- and air-strikes in Gaza and the West Bank. At least 1,200 lives were lost in the first 24-hours of fighting, and upwards of 150 Israelis (and, allegedly, some Americans) are reportedly being held hostage by Hamas operatives.

Notwithstanding escalating hostilities, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) remains open (at the time of this writing). A number of global air-carriers, however, have suspended flights into Israel.

All told, more than half of TLV’s typical flight volume remains scheduled.

The following U.S., European, and Asian airlines—and subsidiaries thereof—suspended service to Israel on the morning of Monday, 09 October 2023. In statements, U.S. airlines set forth they are monitoring the Israeli-Hamas conflict and will conduct flight operations in accordance with prevailing risks arising therefrom.

• Air France: Suspended.
• Air Canada: Suspended; will resume "as soon as the situation stabilizes."
• American Airlines: Monitoring until conditions improve.
• Cathay Pacific: Will provide updates ahead of scheduled service Thursday.
• Delta Air Lines: Monitoring until conditions improve.
• EasyJet: Flights canceled Monday; expect changes through the week.
• Hainan: Monday flights canceled; will continue some flights between Beijing and Shenzhen to Tel Aviv but waive cancellation fees through 20 October.
• India Air: Suspended until 14 October.
• Korean Air: Flights canceled Monday; future flights irregular.
• Lufthansa: Canceled Monday; expect update this week.
• United Airlines: Monitoring until conditions improve.
• Virgin Atlantic: Suspended but "under constant review."
• Wizz Air: Suspended.

Airlines maintaining service to Israel include: British Airways, El Al Israel Airlines, Emirates, FlyDubai, Pegasus Hava, Ryan Air, and Turkish Airlines.

The Israeli government issued a cautionary statement to airlines transiting Israeli airspace—a statement underscored by the Federal Aviation Administration, which subsequently issued a NOTAM referring to the war, somewhat obviously, as a "potentially hazardous situation." The NOTAM went on to assert: " … operators are advised to exercise extreme caution."

On 08 October, EASA (the E.U. Aviation Safety Agency) issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin recommending airlines ensure "a robust risk assessment is in place together with a high level of contingency planning for their operations and to be ready for short notice instructions from the Israeli authorities."

Airlines continuing to operate to destinations within Israel or transiting Israeli airspace have been urged to tanker additional fuel in anticipation of re-routing.

Prolonged hostilities are apt to inflate jet fuel prices—to say nothing of automotive gasoline. Higher fuel prices will likely lead to hikes in airfare. On Wall Street, oil prices rose significantly in the hours following Israel's declaration of war.

FMI: www.state.gov