At Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s only international airport, a sense of uncertainty has taken hold. The recent surprise attacks by Hamas and subsequent Israeli retaliation have left hundreds dead and thousands injured, leading several airlines to suspend their services to Israel.
The United States has also been affected, with nine U.S. citizens reported killed. The State Department is currently working with Israeli authorities to locate the whereabouts of the missing U.S. citizens.
Concerns over safety have prompted the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to issue a notice advising pilots to exercise extreme caution when operating in the Tel Aviv area. The situation remains volatile and unpredictable.
Major airlines such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines have all canceled flights to Tel Aviv. United Airlines Flight 954, which had departed from San Francisco, even turned back near Greenland.
Other international carriers, including Lufthansa Group and British Airways, have followed suit, suspending their flights to Tel Aviv. Air France has canceled its Tel Aviv service until further notice, while budget airlines Wizz and easyJet have also canceled flights through at least Monday.
However, Israeli flagship carrier El Al continues to operate scheduled flights and has even expanded its schedule to accommodate the increased demand. Emirates Airline and Turkish Airlines are also maintaining their flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai, and Tel Aviv and Istanbul respectively.
Travel waivers are being offered by El Al and other airlines to provide customers the flexibility to delay or cancel their trips.
In the midst of these disruptions, cruise operator Royal Caribbean has adjusted its itineraries to avoid the affected area. Impacted guests have been notified directly.
Meanwhile, tour operators are actively assisting travelers in leaving the country. Intrepid Travel, for instance, had a small number of travelers in Israel when the attacks began, but all of them have been accounted for. The company is coordinating with multiple airlines to ensure the safe return of its customers.
Given the ongoing security concerns, Intrepid Travel has canceled all tours through Israel and Palestinian territories for the remainder of the month.
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