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2014 Ben Gurion Airport flight bans

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The 2014 Ben Gurion Airport flight bans were a series of flight bans at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel due to the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict.

FAA flight bans

On 21 July 2014, the United States State Department advised U.S. citizens to "consider the deferral of non-essential travel to Israel" in consideration of the firing of rockets into different parts of Israel (including cities).[1][2]

On 22 July, a rocket landed about a mile from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.[3] Delta Air Lines diverted[4] a flight which was in the air to Paris.[3] Delta Air Lines and United Airlines suspended all flights to Tel Aviv indefinitely, and US Airways also cancelled flights.[5][6] After this, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibited U.S. airlines from flying to or from the airport for up to 24 hours[7] and cited "the potentially hazardous situation created by the armed conflict in Israel and Gaza."[8] The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) stated that it "strongly recommends" that airlines do not fly into or out of the Tel Aviv airport.[9] On 23 July, the FAA extended its prohibition for another 24 hours,[10][11] however halfway through the extension, 36 hours into the flight ban, the FAA lifted their ban.[12]

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg flew to Ben Gurion on El Al on the 23rd of July in order to prove that Israel's airports are safe and to show his solidarity with Israel.[13][14] He told CNN, "The fact that one rocket falls far away from this airport – a mile away – doesn't mean you should shut down air traffic into a country and paralyze the country."[15]

Hamas called the FAA flight ban a "great victory".[16]

Israel's reaction

Shortly after the FAA announcement, Yisrael Katz, the Israeli Transportation Minister, stated that "Ben-Gurion airport was safe from for take-offs and landings, and that there was no security concern for passenger planes."[17] Israel previously stated that the Iron Dome has successfully intercepted "about 90% of rockets headed toward populated or strategic areas".[17] Israel's Civil Aviation Authority wrote a document which said that Israel is taking efforts to avoid commercial airline cancellations of flights going into Ben-Gurion Airport. It submitted the document to Transportation Minister Katz, indicating that the airport was safe for landings and departures.[18] One significant measure taken by the aviation authorities to increase the level of safety at Ben Gurion during the Gaza operation was to route all commercial traffic through the airspace north of the airport and away from the direction of Gaza. This move was facilitated by frequently employing runway 03/21, a new runway at the airport that was completed less than two months before the conflict began.

In response to the cancellations, on 23 July, Israel offered to open up Ovda Airport (in southern Israel, 60 km (37 mi) north of Eilat) to international flights, due to its distance from Gaza.[19][20] There was crowding and chaos at the airport after it opened; 5,000 people were expected to pass through the airport on 24 July. Among the airlines flying to the airport were Air Europa, Air Méditerranée, and Neos.[21] The Iron Dome intercepted a rocket over Eilat (which is farther south than the Ovda airport) on 24 July.[22]

Airlines responses

Some airlines which cancelled flights include Aegean Airlines, Aeroflot,[23] Air Baltic,[24] Air Berlin,[25] Air Canada,[26][27] Air France,[28] Air Serbia, Air Sinai,[29] Alitalia,[25] American Airlines,[30] Austrian Airlines,[31] Brussels Airlines,[31] Croatia Airlines, Cyprus Airways, Delta Air Lines,[32] easyJet,[33] Finnair,[34] Germanwings,[31] Iberia, KLM,[28] Korean Air, LOT Polish Airlines,[25] Lufthansa,[28][35] Meridiana, NIKI, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Pegasus Airlines, Royal Jordanian,[36][37] Scandinavian Airlines,[25] Swiss International Air Lines,[31] Tailwind Airlines, TAROM,[38] TUIfly, Transaero,[23] Turkish Airlines,[39] United Airlines,[40] US Airways, Wizzair,[41] and Vueling.[27][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53]

Other airlines, such as Korean Air[54] and Norwegian Air Shuttle,[55] had already cancelled flights before the rocket strike.[56][57]

El Al followed these cancellations by stating that there is "no chance" that they will cancel any flights.[58] Arkia, Azerbaijan Airlines,[59] Belavia, Bluebird Airways, British Airways,[60] Bulgaria Air, Czech Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Israir, Rossiya Airlines,[61] Thai Airways, Siberia Airlines, Yakutia Airlines and Ukraine International Airlines also continued flying.[20][28][62][63][64][65][66]

El Al announced that four planes would be sent to Istanbul to retrieve those who were stranded there because of flight cancellations.[67]

Over the 23rd and 24 July period, both the FAA[68] and the EASA[69] lifted the ban on the flights to Israel, while some carriers, such as Air France, chose not to renew their coverage yet. Aeroflot and TAROM[70][71][72][73] resumed flights on 23 July, Air Berlin, Air Canada, Air Méditerranée, Alitalia, American Airlines,[74][75] Delta Air Lines,[76][77] easyJet, FedEx Express, Iberia, LOT Polish Airlines,[78] Scandinavian Airlines, Transaero,[79] UPS Airlines,[77] and US Airways[79][80][81] renewed usual service on 24 July, Air France,[82] Finnair,[83] Turkish Airlines, United Airlines,[84] Vueling Airlines, and Wizz Air[85] renewed regular service on 25 July, Air Berlin, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Germanwings, Lufthansa, Norwegian Air Shuttle,[86] and Swiss International Air Lines[87][88] resumed flights on 26 July, and Air Sinai and Egyptair[89][90] resumed flights on 3 August.[91][92][93]

Later threats

On 20 August, Hamas threatened to fire additional rockets at Ben Gurion on 21 August as 06:00. Their warning stated that all airlines should cancel their flights.[94] In response to the warnings, Royal Jordanian canceled their flights to Ben Gurion.[95]

References

  1. ^ "The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza due to ongoing hostilities. The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens consider the deferral of non-essential travel to Israel and the West Bank and reaffirms the longstanding strong warning to U.S. citizens against any travel to the Gaza Strip. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning issued on February 3, 2014." U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, July 21, 2014, "Israel, The West Bank and Gaza Travel Warning" http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/israel-travel-warning.html
  2. ^ Rick Gladstone, "The New York Times," July 21, 2014, "U.S. Advises Americans to Put Off Travel to Israel" http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/22/world/middleeast/us-advises-americans-to-put-off-travel-to-israel.html?_r=0
  3. ^ a b "Mixed Reaction To FAA Decision To Cancel U.S.-Based Flights To Israel". CBS New York. July 22, 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  4. ^ "FAA lifts ban on US flights to Tel Aviv airport". The Big Story. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  5. ^ "United, Delta cancel flights to Israel; plane in the air is diverted to Paris". Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  6. ^ Bart Jansen, USA TODAY (22 July 2014). "FAA bans U.S. airlines from Israel over rocket threat". USA Today. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  7. ^ CNN - FAA bans U.S.-Israel flights, citing rocket attack (July 22, 2014)
  8. ^ Greenberg, Joel; Kevin Hall (July 23, 2014). "FAA bars U.S. flights to Israel after rocket lands near country's main airport". McClatchy DC. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  9. ^ "Strong recommendation to avoid Tel Aviv Ben Gourion International Airport until further notice". EASA. 23 Jul 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  10. ^ "The Boston Globe," July 23, 2014 "FAA extends ban on US flights to Tel Aviv" http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2014/07/23/european-carriers-suspend-more-tel-aviv-flights/WvGEP81gF6qyOtGLZ5HCyM/story.html?p1=Article_Related
  11. ^ Harriet Arkell (23 July 2014). "British Airways continues to fly to Israel despite European and US airlines including easyJet cancelling flights after rocket lands near Ben Gurion International Airport". London: DailyMail. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
  12. ^ Zeke J Miller (24 July 2014). "U.S. Lifts Israel Flight Ban". TIME.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  13. ^ The Jerusalem Post, July 23, 2014 "Despite FAA ban, former New York mayor Bloomberg flies to Israel on El Al" http://www.jpost.com/Operation-Protective-Edge/Former-New-York-mayor-Bloomberg-defies-FAA-ban-flies-to-Israel-on-El-Al-368562
  14. ^ Michael Bloomberg, Bloomberg View, July 23, 2014 http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-07-23/why-i-flew-to-israel
  15. ^ Katia Hetter; Pamela Brown; Adam Levine (24 July 2014). "U.S. ends ban on flights to Israel". CNN.
  16. ^ Sharona Schwartz. "Hamas Calls FAA's 48-Hour Flight Ban to Tel Aviv a 'Great Victory'". The Blaze. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  17. ^ a b "El Al says there is 'no chance' it will cancel flights to, from Israel", Jerusalem Post, 22 July 2014; accessed 23 July 2014.
  18. ^ Zohar Blumenkrantz, "Haaretz, July 22, 2014 http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-gaza-conflict-2014/1.606655
  19. ^ Gearan, Anne (24 July 2014). "The United States put the most direct pressure yet on ally Israel to cut short its military campaign". The Washington Post.
  20. ^ a b Israel Hayom | Israel opens alternate airport after wave of flight cancellations <img src="http://www.israelhayom.co.il/site/upload/photos/video_icon/video_icon_24.png" style=...
  21. ^ Chaos at Israeli desert airfield as EU flights rerouted - National Israel News | Haaretz
  22. ^ "LIVE UPDATES: Operation Protective Edge, day 17". Haaretz. July 25, 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  23. ^ a b Russian Airlines Cancel All Flights to Israel | News | The Moscow Times
  24. ^ Wizz Air and airBaltic have cancelld the all flight to and from Tel Av
  25. ^ a b c d European carriers suspend more Tel Aviv flights - World - The Boston Globe
  26. ^ "Israel-Gaza conflict: Air Canada cancels Tel Aviv flight over safety concerns". Cbc.ca. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  27. ^ a b "Air Canada cancels tonight's Israel flight after rocket lands near Tel Aviv airport". The Star. Toronto.
  28. ^ a b c d Airlines suspend Israel flights over missile fears - Israel-Gaza conflict 2014 Israel News | Haaretz
  29. ^ Gaza: Brazil withdraws ambassador from Israel - General news - ANSAMed.it
  30. ^ Carey, Susan (31 May 1948). "FAA Temporarily Bars U.S. Carriers From Flying to Tel Aviv". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  31. ^ a b c d Lufthansa suspend flights to Tel Aviv for additional 24 hours | JPost | Israel News
  32. ^ Delta Air Lines Newsroom - News Archive
  33. ^ "Several airlines suspend flights to Israel". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  34. ^ Finnair cancels Tel Aviv flights | Yle Uutiset | yle.fi
  35. ^ Lufthansa says suspends service to Tel Aviv for 36 hours | JPost | Israel News
  36. ^ Royal Jordanian cancels flights to Israel, channelnewsasia.com; accessed 23 July 2014.
  37. ^ The airline that kept flying to Israel: Egypt's Air Sinai - Israel-Gaza conflict 2014 Israel News | Haaretz
  38. ^ Tarom and Wizz Air suspend flights to Tel Aviv
  39. ^ "Turkish Airlines halts all its flights to Israel for 24 hours". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  40. ^ "FAA bans U.S. airlines from Israel over rocket threat". Usatoday.com. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  41. ^ Wizz Air extends Israel flight ban
  42. ^ "FAA tells US airlines that all flights to Tel Aviv airport prohibited for 24 hours". Fox News. 22 July 2014.
  43. ^ "U.S., European airlines cancel flights to Israel". Daily News. New York. 22 July 2014.
  44. ^ "U.S., European airlines halt flights to Israel due to instability - chicagotribune.com". Archived from the original on July 23, 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ BBC News - US and European airlines suspend Israel flights
  46. ^ Welch, William M. (22 July 2014). "Tel Aviv flight ban cuts off Israelis". USA Today.
  47. ^ Air France, German Carriers Join Others In Halting Flights To Tel Aviv
  48. ^ ITAR-TASS: World - 10 countries suspend flights to Tel Aviv for safety concerns
  49. ^ Gaza: over 640 Palestinian deaths,Israeli strike hits family - General news - ANSAMed.it
  50. ^ FAA extends ban on US flights to Israel by 24 hours | JPost | Israel News
  51. ^ Israeli airlines pick up some slack from canceled flights | The Times of Israel
  52. ^ Spanish airline Iberia cancels flights to Tel Aviv for security
  53. ^ Spanish airlines suspend Tel Aviv flights - The Local
  54. ^ "Korean Air to suspend 3 flights to Tel Aviv in response to Israel-Palestine tension". Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  55. ^ "Israel freezes plans for new Turkish air link, citing security fears". Haaretz.com. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  56. ^ Joshua Mitnick; Andy Pasztor; Susan Carey (23 July 2014). "U.S. Bars Flights to Israeli Airport After Rocket Hits Nearby - WSJ". WSJ. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  57. ^ "Israel Hayom - Citing safety concerns, Korean Air cancels Tel Aviv flights". Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  58. ^ Elis, Niv. "El Al says there is 'no chance' it will cancel flights to, from Israel". JPost. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  59. ^ AZAL continues air flights to Israel | Israel | Jewish Journal
  60. ^ "US and European airlines halt Israel flights". Bbc.com. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  61. ^ FAA Extends Travel Ban to Israel for Another 24 Hours | abc13.com
  62. ^ British Airways Among The Few Airlines Still Flying to Israel
  63. ^ Arkell, Harriet (23 July 2014). "British Airways continues to fly to Israel despite European and US airlines including easyJet cancelling flights after rocket lands near Ben Gurion International Airport". Daily Mail. London.
  64. ^ Globes English - 80 flights to and from Israel canceled in 24 hours
  65. ^ FAA Lifts Ban on Israel After 80 Flights Were Canceled in First 24 Hours – Jewish Business News
  66. ^ Israel opens airport in Negev as alternative to Ben-Gurion - Diplomacy and Defense Israel News | Haaretz
  67. ^ El Al retrieves fliers stranded in Istanbul, ynetnews.com; accessed 23 July 2014.
  68. ^ Press Release – FAA Statement–FAA Lifts Flight Restrictions for Ben Gurion International Airport
  69. ^ Updated SIB concerning flight operations to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Int. Airport | EASA
  70. ^ Tarom resumes flights to Tel Aviv
  71. ^ "World airlines shun Israel for second day". Yahoo News. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  72. ^ "European Carriers Extend Flight Ban to Israel". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  73. ^ http://www.skynews.com.au/news/world/mideast/2014/07/24/top-airlines-shun-israel-for-second-day.html
  74. ^ http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FLIGHTS_CANCELED_ISRAEL_US_AIRLINES?SITE=NCWIN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
  75. ^ American Airlines to Resume Israel Flights - NBC News
  76. ^ Israel Unrest
  77. ^ a b "US Airways resumes flights to and from Tel Aviv". Philly.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  78. ^ http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/140724/polish-airline-lot-resumes-flights-israel
  79. ^ a b Lufthansa Maintains Israel Flight Ban - Global Agenda - News - Arutz Sheva
  80. ^ Air Canada resumes flights after FAA lifts Israel ban | The Canadian Jewish News
  81. ^ Levin, Alan (24 July 2014). "U.S. Airlines Resume Israel Flights as Flight Ban Lifted". Bloomberg.
  82. ^ "Air France (AF) #1320 ✈ 25-Jul-2014 ✈ LFPG / CDG - LLBG / TLV ✈ FlightAware". flightaware.com. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  83. ^ "Finnair resumes flights to Israel". Yle Uutiset. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  84. ^ US Airlines to Resume Flights to Israel - ABC News
  85. ^ Wizz Air: “We have cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until midnight tonight” | Baltic Review
  86. ^ "Airlines resume flights to Israel". Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  87. ^ Taylor, Edward (25 July 2014). "UPDATE 2-Lufthansa, Air Berlin to resume flights to Tel Aviv| Reuters". reuters.com. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  88. ^ "Lufthansa, Air France to resume Tel Aviv flights". bigstory.ap.org. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  89. ^ "The Yeshiva World LIVE BLOG DAY 27: Operation Protective Edge [9:47 PM IL] " " Frum Jewish News". Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  90. ^ "EgyptAir resumes flights to Tel Aviv - Egypt Independent". Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  91. ^ Airlines resume flights to Israel | Bangkok Post: news
  92. ^ Military airfield lands as alternative to banned Ben Gurion | Jewish Telegraphic Agency
  93. ^ "FAA, EASA lift ban on US flights to Ben-Gurion Airport". Ynet. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  94. ^ "Hamas Threatens Ben-Gurion Airport - Global Agenda - News - Arutz Sheva". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  95. ^ Hana Levi Julian. "The Jewish Press  »  » Royal Jordanian Cancels Flights to Ben Gurion Airport". The Jewish Press. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
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