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 12, 2014, 2:47 am
#31
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,712
For example, tonight (that is, tomorrow), LH690 expected to arrive 03:40 instead of 00:35, LH694 moved from 02:40 to 06:00, and OS859 from 00:50 to 04:55.
Shuly
Jul 12, 2014, 12:34 pm
#32
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: AA L.T. Plat; UA Platinum
Posts: 328
I am on BA162 TLV-LHR on Sun 13July and was notified 6:15 on Sat 12Jul that departure was pushed from 0735 to 1640. Inbound BA163 still shows scheduled on time. Agent merely said it was mechanical. And discussion about protecting my LHR-EWR leg taking place while the Code Red was sounding in Jerusalem.
No idea whether this is really mex or whether BA just decided to operate both daily TLV flights at the same time.
No idea whether this is really mex or whether BA just decided to operate both daily TLV flights at the same time.
Jul 21, 2014, 1:26 pm
#35
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
Korean Air just suspended TLV service
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...546898,00.html
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...546898,00.html
Jul 21, 2014, 2:53 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: TLV/LHR
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Elite Amb, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 12,948
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)
Correct, although it wasn't just now (they announced it yesterday).
I believe Norwegian did the same.
Correct, although it wasn't just now (they announced it yesterday).
I believe Norwegian did the same.