European carriers halt flights to Israel over security concerns at Ben Gurion airport
European carriers such as Air France and Lufthansa have suspended all flights to Israel for 24 hours, citing security issues at Ben Gurion International Airport.
European carriers such as Air France and Lufthansa have suspended all flights to Israel for 24 hours, citing security issues at Ben Gurion International Airport.
The move comes in response to US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) order to cancel services to Tel Aviv after shrapnel from a rocket fired by Palestinian militant organisation Hamas hit a house near Ben Gurion Airport.
Delta has already suspended flights to Israel over security concerns and US Airways will halt flights until 24 July.
On 22 July, Delta redirected its Boeing 747 from New York, which was flying from Tel Aviv to Paris.
Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines, KLM, Air France and Air Canada have also halted flights to Ben Gurion for 36 hours
According to IHS Jane’s Airport Review, Israeli aviation officials and diplomats are highly concerned by the decision to suspend flights to Israel.
A representative of the FAA said: "The FAA will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation."
