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
Aug 3, 2014, 3:01 am
#106
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,928
TK has basically become Israel's low cost carrier to both Europe and the States. It has several flights out of TLV each day and many (most? the heavy majority?) passengers are not either Turks visiting Israel or Israelis going to Turkey -- although that used to be the case before the current Turkish government came into office.
Instead, they are merely connecting in IST and then continuing on to other European cities and to the US, thus reducing the potential market for LY. Normally, I would have no problem with this but as Turkey has become almost an enemy country, I see no reason to allow this to continue.
Aug 3, 2014, 3:52 am
#107
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: UA 1K/MM, EK Gold, CX Silver
Posts: 880
Supporting BDS?
Do you also support similar policies against Israeli companies operating around the world? If someone in New Zealand objects to Israeli government policy and behaviour do you think they should boycott Teva generic drugs for example?
This is a very sharp double edged sword you are wielding.
Aug 3, 2014, 8:57 am
#108
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
Moderator Note
Folks,
Let's try to keep this thread about actual issues that are impacting travelers during Operation Protective Edge. This isn't a thread for debating BDS or other topics.
Thanks,
yosithezet
Moderator, EL AL Forum
Let's try to keep this thread about actual issues that are impacting travelers during Operation Protective Edge. This isn't a thread for debating BDS or other topics.
Thanks,
yosithezet
Moderator, EL AL Forum
Aug 17, 2014, 9:06 am
#110
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: London, UK / (TLV), Israel
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR), *A Gold - TAP, SkyTeam E+, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Diamond, Sixt PL, GE/TSA Pre
Posts: 1,663
Aug 18, 2014, 1:36 am
#111
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,712
Shuly
Aug 18, 2014, 11:56 am
#113
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,712
Aug 20, 2014, 2:04 pm
#115
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Israel/United States
Posts: 1,234
During the past few weeks--up to and including today, as I lay on the Netanya beach I am seeing civilian aircraft that are climbing. They are very high and I cant' tell the airline, but the light colors tell me they aren't military. ( also they are singles, while military seem to fly i groups)
Aug 21, 2014, 2:34 am
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Once again, RJ has canceled their flights. According to their Israeli offices, it's due to the security situation, with no word whether this will be a one off event of we can expect more cancellations in the coming week(s).
חברת התעופה הירדנית ביטלה טיסה לארץ (YNET, Hebrew: "Jordanian airline cancels their flight to Israel")
חברת התעופה הירדנית ביטלה טיסה לארץ (YNET, Hebrew: "Jordanian airline cancels their flight to Israel")
Aug 21, 2014, 5:45 am
#117
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: London, UK / (TLV), Israel
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR), *A Gold - TAP, SkyTeam E+, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Diamond, Sixt PL, GE/TSA Pre
Posts: 1,663
IDF have now placed an Iron Dome battery south of the airport perimeter - so the airport is technically safer than its ever been. Additionally the flight path shifts northwards (arrivals/departures) are now out of range of rockets anyway - so basically commercial airlines are 'covered' in all sense of the word.
Aug 21, 2014, 9:51 am
#118
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
IDF have now placed an Iron Dome battery south of the airport perimeter - so the airport is technically safer than its ever been. Additionally the flight path shifts northwards (arrivals/departures) are now out of range of rockets anyway - so basically commercial airlines are 'covered' in all sense of the word.
Aug 22, 2014, 3:20 pm
#120
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,639
Once again, RJ has canceled their flights. According to their Israeli offices, it's due to the security situation, with no word whether this will be a one off event of we can expect more cancellations in the coming week(s).
חברת התעופה הירדנית ביטלה טיסה לארץ (YNET, Hebrew: "Jordanian airline cancels their flight to Israel")
חברת התעופה הירדנית ביטלה טיסה לארץ (YNET, Hebrew: "Jordanian airline cancels their flight to Israel")
Royal Jordanian cancels flight from Jordan to Tel Aviv
Jordanian airline Royal Jordanian cancelled its Thursday morning flight from Amman to Tel Aviv. The airline said the reason for the cancellation was the unstable security situation.
It has been only a week since the Jordanian airline renewed its flights to Israel after a month it had ceased its activity in Israel.
It is not yet clear whether the airline will cancel additional flights in the near future.
It has been only a week since the Jordanian airline renewed its flights to Israel after a month it had ceased its activity in Israel.
It is not yet clear whether the airline will cancel additional flights in the near future.