Updated on 9 October at 2.30pm
Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Aegean, LOT, Easyjet, Transavia and Wizz Air: all these carriers have decided to temporarily suspend their flights from Europe due to the Hamas attacks in Israel. A notice on the Tel Aviv airport website states that the airport is operating as usual. Flight suspensions are therefore decided by each airline.
On 9 October, Israel's national carrier El Al was operating all its flights to Lyon, Marseille, Nice and Paris CDG. The same goes for the leisure airline Arkia, present at CDG. On the other hand, Air France flights from Paris CDG to Tel Aviv and Transavia flights from Orly and Lyon have been cancelled.. The company indicates that this is a temporary situation. Frequencies could resume from Tuesday 10.
All Israeli airlines are continuing to operate their flights. El Al has indicated that it is operating its flights ". in accordance with the instructions given by the Israeli security forces" . However, all flights have been grouped together in Terminal 3, the most recent terminal, which benefits from the most advanced security technologies.
According to the Flightradar24 website, which tracks all flights worldwide, international airlines from the Gulf or Turkey all operate their flights. The same applies to a handful of European airlines, such as Ryanair, which will be maintaining services to Brussels South-Charleroi and Vienna on Monday, and British Airways, with an afternoon flight to London Heathrow.
The situation remains uncertain. Sunday evening, Hamas claimed to have targeted Ben Gurion international airport. An attempt which apparently had no impact whatsoever. Passengers can consult all flights departing from and arriving in Tel Aviv under this link : https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/airports/ben-gurion/flight-board/?flightType=departures. At the same time, to inform and guide tourists, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism has set up a virtual office accessible via WhatsApp, on +972-55-972-6931, or by email at virtual@goisrael.gov.il.
The Israel National Tourist Office advises travellers to contact the airline or agency with which the trip has been organised and booked". for up-to-date and comprehensive information" . " Flight schedules are subject to change and some flights may be cancelled." he added. As for travellers currently in Israel, the Ministry of Tourism is giving them precise instructions on how to react in the event of a siren sounding, and recommends that they stay close to buildings and protected areas. Information is available at the following address: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/security-update.
