Jul 9, 2014, 8:54 am
Last edit by: joshwex90
In light of the current security situation in Israel, please note the following information:
UPDATE REGARDING FAA BAN: The FAA ban has been officially lifted, effective immediately: Press Release – FAA Statement–FAA Lifts Flight Restrictions for Ben Gurion International Airport
Airline/Airport Advisory Information
Travel Warnings
The following information is from the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv:
Small FAQ Regarding Mass Airline Cancellations, Courtesy of Israel Hayom
My airline canceled my flight, what can I do?
First of all, turn to your airline. Each airline has different policies. You may be able to change the flight. DL, for example, lists on their website that you can change the date once for free. You can usually cancel, but there will likely be a fee.
Does Israeli law grant me compensation?
The "Tibi Law" requires airlines to get you to your destination if they cancel your flight. However, it specifically exempts airlines when it's completely out of their control, or "abnormal conditions." In this case, it's legally murky, as the airlines will argue this is a case of war, and not normal, while on the other side, Israel never closed airspace, and this was an individual decision of airlines (US-based carriers not withstanding)
What's the scope of flight cancellations?
It appears to be a domino effect, as airlines cancel in response to others. Especially now, considering the fears over MH17
If I'm stuck in Israel, how can I get abroad?
You can fly with Israeli companies (EL AL, UP, Arkia, Israir) that are continuing to fly abroad. You can also cross the border into Jordan, and fly via Amman. If you're interested in a slow, option, you can always take a boat from Haifa to Cyprus or other destinations.
When you hear a siren, take it seriously! Get to shelter immediately! If you do not have a shelter, get inside to a stairwell, away from a window, (with the window closed,) and cover your head. If in a car, stop the car, get out, and lie down with your hands over your head. After the boom, wait 10 minutes to leave as shrapnel after an Iron Dome intercept can still be in the air!! Do not feel the need to take pictures or videos as a souvenir - you can find plenty online, and there's no reason to play with your life!
Additional helpful FT Threads
UPDATE REGARDING FAA BAN: The FAA ban has been officially lifted, effective immediately: Press Release – FAA Statement–FAA Lifts Flight Restrictions for Ben Gurion International Airport
Airline/Airport Advisory Information
- ETH and SDV have been closed until further notice.
- TLV is operating on or close to regular schedule. One flight so far reported diverted to LCA. Very few sirens in TLV, though one flight deplaned after boarding due to a code red siren. Contact your carrier for more information.
- LY has announced that they will refund/exchange tickets free of charge due to the security situation for people who don't want to fly now
Travel Warnings
The following information is from the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv:
- Rockets fired at Tel Aviv - travel south of Tel Aviv banned for embassy staff without prior authorization. Travel south to Eilat is fine. When traveling south and heading closer to the Gaza Strip, the amount of time you have to reach a shelter in the case of a siren lessens. (I will post a map when I find it.) Take precautions!
- Security situation in Jerusalem - most of Jerusalem is absolutely fine. The Jewish areas remain safe. When heading into Arab neighborhoods, specifically Shuafat and Silwan (near the Old City), there remain heavy clashes. Don't travel there without good reason!
Small FAQ Regarding Mass Airline Cancellations, Courtesy of Israel Hayom
My airline canceled my flight, what can I do?
First of all, turn to your airline. Each airline has different policies. You may be able to change the flight. DL, for example, lists on their website that you can change the date once for free. You can usually cancel, but there will likely be a fee.
Does Israeli law grant me compensation?
The "Tibi Law" requires airlines to get you to your destination if they cancel your flight. However, it specifically exempts airlines when it's completely out of their control, or "abnormal conditions." In this case, it's legally murky, as the airlines will argue this is a case of war, and not normal, while on the other side, Israel never closed airspace, and this was an individual decision of airlines (US-based carriers not withstanding)
What's the scope of flight cancellations?
It appears to be a domino effect, as airlines cancel in response to others. Especially now, considering the fears over MH17
If I'm stuck in Israel, how can I get abroad?
You can fly with Israeli companies (EL AL, UP, Arkia, Israir) that are continuing to fly abroad. You can also cross the border into Jordan, and fly via Amman. If you're interested in a slow, option, you can always take a boat from Haifa to Cyprus or other destinations.
When you hear a siren, take it seriously! Get to shelter immediately! If you do not have a shelter, get inside to a stairwell, away from a window, (with the window closed,) and cover your head. If in a car, stop the car, get out, and lie down with your hands over your head. After the boom, wait 10 minutes to leave as shrapnel after an Iron Dome intercept can still be in the air!! Do not feel the need to take pictures or videos as a souvenir - you can find plenty online, and there's no reason to play with your life!
Additional helpful FT Threads
- Numerous threads in the LY forum
- DL Suspends Flights to TLV - *Update: UA suspends flights as well through 7/24/2014* [Wiki] (UA Forum)
- Delta (and US and UA) cancel all flights to TLV indefinitely (DL Forum)
- AA TLV / Tel Aviv / Ben Gurion Travel Policy (July 2014) [Wiki] (AA Forum)
- US Airways Suspends Daily Flight From US to Tel Aviv [Wiki] (US Forum)
- Will BA be the safe airline here too ? (Tel Aviv) (BA Forum)
- TLV flights cancelled (LH&More Forum)
- Security concerns flying into/out of TLV ? (Middle East Forum)
- OMNI/PR threads (for those interested in debating the politics and not the flight situation)
Travel Issues during Operation Protective Edge July 2014
Jul 10, 2014, 10:15 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: A3*G
Posts: 561
חברת התעופה הגרמנית ''טואי'' מבטלת את הטיסות לישראל
which airline is this?
במהלך השבוע הקרוב, החל מיום ראשון, ה-13.7, משעה 05:00 וד מוצ"ש ה-19.7, בשעה 24:00, כל הטיסות הבינלאומיות מטרמינל 1 יועברו לטרמינל 3.
is that also related?
which airline is this?
במהלך השבוע הקרוב, החל מיום ראשון, ה-13.7, משעה 05:00 וד מוצ"ש ה-19.7, בשעה 24:00, כל הטיסות הבינלאומיות מטרמינל 1 יועברו לטרמינל 3.
is that also related?
Jul 10, 2014, 10:56 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
That wold be TUIfly.
(X3 canceled their flight to Israel.)
(Next week, from Sunday July 13 at 05:00 until Saturday night, July 19, at 00:00, all international flights will move from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3.)
I have no clue if that's connected. There may have been plans for some work there anyways or it could be related if they need T1 used for some other purpose, though I can't imagine what as the IAF has major bases in the south. And anyways, from what I understand, all international flights anyways use T3, so it's not like planes are moving - just check-in services.
(X3 canceled their flight to Israel.)
(Next week, from Sunday July 13 at 05:00 until Saturday night, July 19, at 00:00, all international flights will move from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3.)
I have no clue if that's connected. There may have been plans for some work there anyways or it could be related if they need T1 used for some other purpose, though I can't imagine what as the IAF has major bases in the south. And anyways, from what I understand, all international flights anyways use T3, so it's not like planes are moving - just check-in services.
Jul 10, 2014, 11:23 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
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Flights from Germany to Israel on LY delayed 2 hours due to "TLV being closed." TLV has not been confirmed closed from any other source. Looking at UA, 85 took off with a 40 minute delay and 91 is schedule to depart on time, with check-in opening momentarily.
Jul 10, 2014, 1:00 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
Jul 10, 2014, 1:14 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
In comparison to the south, certainly not. Serving on the Gaza border, there were days where we spent more time running to/from the shelter than pretty much anything else. That being said, when a siren goes off in Ramat Gan, people don't look confused as to what's happening or freak out - everyone went straight to the shelter.
Sorry for what you've been going through the past 14 years - hope that it finally ends once and for all!
posting from somewhere nice and hot in uncomfortable madei bet
Sorry for what you've been going through the past 14 years - hope that it finally ends once and for all!
posting from somewhere nice and hot in uncomfortable madei bet
Stay safe during your miluim! Personally, I'm wearing Madei Keva which is even less comfortable ^
Jul 10, 2014, 11:45 pm
#23
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
I land in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning. My boss inquired as to where I'll be in Israel and I said "Tel Aviv". He asked if I was certain I wanted to go as things look pretty bad over there. I said that since my sons are in Israel, things would have to be at a level where I would feel the need to pull my sons out, in order for me to consider not going. That said, Modiin has thus far been pretty quiet whereas Tel Aviv has seen more activity. Am I nuts or simply Israeli?
Jul 11, 2014, 12:26 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Dec 2009
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I land in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning. My boss inquired as to where I'll be in Israel and I said "Tel Aviv". He asked if I was certain I wanted to go as things look pretty bad over there. I said that since my sons are in Israel, things would have to be at a level where I would feel the need to pull my sons out, in order for me to consider not going. That said, Modiin has thus far been pretty quiet whereas Tel Aviv has seen more activity. Am I nuts or simply Israeli?
Enjoy! Maybe it's time for another mini-DO!
Jul 11, 2014, 3:36 am
#26
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: TLV/LHR
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Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 7_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/537.51.2 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.0 Mobile/11D167 Safari/9537.53)
EU261 doesn't apply under these circumstances.
EU261 doesn't apply under these circumstances.
Jul 11, 2014, 4:22 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,556
I land in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning. My boss inquired as to where I'll be in Israel and I said "Tel Aviv". He asked if I was certain I wanted to go as things look pretty bad over there. I said that since my sons are in Israel, things would have to be at a level where I would feel the need to pull my sons out, in order for me to consider not going. That said, Modiin has thus far been pretty quiet whereas Tel Aviv has seen more activity. Am I nuts or simply Israeli?
Jul 11, 2014, 5:46 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: A3*G
Posts: 561
Jul 11, 2014, 7:31 am
#29
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
I'm going to venture a guess that they are stopping there to refuel in case they need to hold before landing for a long time or divert someplace farther away. A lot of the TATL flights arrive without a whole lot of reserves for diversions and fuel and landing fees are probably a heckuva lot cheaper at SNN than LHR where they'd need a slot to land anyway.