Over the October 7 to 8, 2023 weekend, Hamas militants fired rockets into Israel, taking hostages while also killing hundreds and injuring thousands of people. In response to the attack, Israel has ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4-Do Not Travel advisory for specific areas, and airlines have canceled flights.
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 8: People look at the board showing departure schedules at Ben Gurion ... [+]
Level 4-Do Not Travel Areas
As of the time of publishing, the U.S. Department of State has issued a “Level 4-Do Not Travel” for Gaza due to “terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict.” A “Level 2-Exercise Increased Caution” remains for Israel and the West Bank, both “due to terrorism and civil unrest.”
Note that U.S. government employees have additional restrictions, including how far they can travel and only during certain hours.
Flights Are Suspended
On October 7, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) for pilots and airlines to use “extreme caution” when flying over Israel. Israel’s government issued a similar warning.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Israel, Ben Gurion International Airport is still open. However, some airlines have suspended or canceled flights. According to the same release, U.S. carriers have temporarily suspended flights to Israel.
Major U.S. carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, have all suspended operations to and from Tel Aviv until further notice. Other airlines with suspended services include Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, and Virgin Atlantic. European budget airlines have also followed suit.
The embassy advises that travelers monitor airlines for the latest on when flights will resume. They can also visit the Ben Gurion International Airport’s website for further details.
Summary
As the situation constantly changes, the best advice is to heed caution and travel only if necessary. Continue to monitor the news and contact airlines if needed.
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