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 8, 2014, 12:05 pm
#1
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Travel Issues during Operation Protective Edge July 2014
As a result of Operation Protective Edge, ETH has closed for now, and all takeoff/landings at SDV have been canceled.
No flights to/from TLV have been affected, but the IAA says they *may* be affected. Flight paths have changed slightly, with takeoffs to the north and landings to the east.
Public shelters are open in Tel Aviv and Jerusaelm.
Stay safe everyone!
No flights to/from TLV have been affected, but the IAA says they *may* be affected. Flight paths have changed slightly, with takeoffs to the north and landings to the east.
Public shelters are open in Tel Aviv and Jerusaelm.
Stay safe everyone!
Jul 8, 2014, 1:47 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2012
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To everyone on this board who resides in Israel, please stay safe and may calm soon prevail.
עם ישראל חי
עם ישראל חי
Last edited by ELY001; Jul 8, 2014 at 10:57 pm Reason: Removed comment about potential conflict effects on LY's financials
Jul 8, 2014, 2:22 pm
#5
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As an update, my in-laws flew today LY, narrowbody. While on board, there was a tzeva adom (code red rocket siren alert). They had to deplane everybody and proceeded to a milkat (shelter). I have no other details as my wife, not I, spoke to them. They took off safely not too long behind schedule.
For anyone visiting Israel now: FOLLOW ANY INFORMATION YOU ARE TOLD BY SECURITY PERSONNEL! IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, FIND OUT - You are all welcome to PM me to ask questions or help translate instructions. I am not one to fear-monger, but unfortunately, we must all be realistic.
Regarding security, if you ever hear the siren go off and you are in the Jerusalem or Tel Aviv area, you have 90 seconds to reach shelter. Follow what the locals are doing - they are unfortunately accustomed to it.
If you are nervous, don't be! Israel lives on!
In all seriousness, everyone stay safe AND alert. This is a trying time, but hopefully a very short-lived one.
I also urge everyone here NOT to debate LY until after this is over. Feel free then to criticize whatever you feel LY could've done better. There are a myriad of other threads on this forum dedicated to criticizing LY. This thread isn't one of them. It's about security updates.
For anyone visiting Israel now: FOLLOW ANY INFORMATION YOU ARE TOLD BY SECURITY PERSONNEL! IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, FIND OUT - You are all welcome to PM me to ask questions or help translate instructions. I am not one to fear-monger, but unfortunately, we must all be realistic.
Regarding security, if you ever hear the siren go off and you are in the Jerusalem or Tel Aviv area, you have 90 seconds to reach shelter. Follow what the locals are doing - they are unfortunately accustomed to it.
If you are nervous, don't be! Israel lives on!
In all seriousness, everyone stay safe AND alert. This is a trying time, but hopefully a very short-lived one.
I also urge everyone here NOT to debate LY until after this is over. Feel free then to criticize whatever you feel LY could've done better. There are a myriad of other threads on this forum dedicated to criticizing LY. This thread isn't one of them. It's about security updates.
Jul 9, 2014, 3:11 am
#6
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Regarding security, if you ever hear the siren go off and you are in the Jerusalem or Tel Aviv area, you have 90 seconds to reach shelter. Follow what the locals are doing - they are unfortunately accustomed to it.
And of course, I certainly hope that this stays that way!
(Just an FYI - I live in the South and have been accustomed to it for quite some time now.)
Jul 9, 2014, 3:17 am
#7
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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
Jul 9, 2014, 10:01 pm
#10
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Jul 10, 2014, 1:31 am
#11
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As another flight update, Israel Hayom today posted that AF canceled TLV-CDG after the flight yesterday was landing in TLV from CDG and was caught in a code red siren.
Jul 10, 2014, 7:06 am
#14
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