What travelers need to know following deadly clashes in Israel and Gaza
By Lilit Marcus, CNN
(CNN) — Fighting continues to rage between Israeli forces and Hamas militants following the Islamist militant group’s deadly surprise assault on Israel on Saturday, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that the country is now “at war.”
Most international airlines have already canceled flights in and out of Israel and governments are revising travel guidance for those heading to the region.
On October 11, the US State Department raised its travel advisory for Israel to level three, “reconsider travel,” and Gaza to level four, “do not travel.”
The situation remains fluid and all information is subject to sudden change, but here’s what travelers need to know following the attacks.
What is the impact on aviation?
Among the locations Hamas has claimed it is targeting is Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s international hub, located just outside Tel Aviv.
CNN’s Nic Robertson was on the ground at the airport on Saturday, October 7, when the sound of missiles was heard overhead.
He and other passengers and crew laid face-down on the ground as sirens blared in the distance and missiles were intercepted by the country’s Iron Dome air defense system.
Despite the fighting, Ben Gurion’s website said the country’s largest and busiest airport was still open and operational as of Monday morning.
The country’s second-largest airport, Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport (ETM) in the southern Red Sea city of Eilat, also says it plans to continue services.
As for Israeli airlines, El Al, the country’s flag carrier, issued a statement on October 8 saying it would continue to operate as usual.
“El Al Airlines operates in accordance with the instructions of the Israeli security forces. Our flights are operated as scheduled. All El Al flights will depart from Terminal 3 only.”
The airline is offering options for travelers who wish to “freeze” their tickets, allowing them to use them on an unspecified future date. Booking change fees are being waived for travelers who have flights scheduled between now and October 21.
Anyone who wishes to cancel their trip is eligible for a voucher, which they can obtain by filling out the form on El Al’s website. The airline also has an emergency hotline for customers affected by the situation.
On Monday, October 9, some flights were still landing at Ben Gurion, nearly all of which were operated by Israeli airlines, including El Al flights from Rome, Milan, and Athens. Some flights were listed as delayed.
The country’s two smaller carriers, Israir and Arkia Airlines, said they would be operating flights to help Israelis abroad return home.
Which international airlines have canceled flights to Israel?
International airlines have announced they will cut their air services to Israel dramatically as the situation evolves.
Among these is German airline Lufthansa. It said in a statement: “Against the background of the current security situation in Israel, Lufthansa Group Airlines is reducing its flight program to/from Tel Aviv this Saturday.”
French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne told CNN affiliate BFM TV that Air France had suspended all flights to Israel for the time being.
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways said on Monday that it was canceling its flights to and from Tel Aviv and would next give updates on October 12.
Korean Air, the only South Korean airline that operates direct flights between Incheon and Tel Aviv, canceled its Monday flight — but said it would operate a return flight from Tel Aviv to Incheon, to bring people home.
Delta Air Lines said it is canceling all flights to and from Tel Aviv for the rest of the month, but that it will “work with the U.S. government as needed to assist with the repatriation of U.S. citizens who want to return home.” The airline says it “made the difficult decision” as it “continues monitoring events in the region.”
American Airlines has canceled all flights to and from Israel’s main international airport through December 4 “as a result of the current operating environment.” The airline operates flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport. “We will continue working closely with our partner airlines to offer assistance to those looking to exit TLV with safety and security remaining our highest priorities,” American Airlines said in a statement on October 10.
United Airlines has also canceled direct flights. “The safety of our customers and crews is our top priority,” a representative for United said in a statement. “We are closely monitoring the situation and we are adjusting flight schedules as required.” The airline confirmed that flights would remain suspended “until conditions allow them to resume.”
Other major airlines announcing cancellations include: Air Canada, Hainan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Royal Air Marcoc.
Budget carrier Wizz Air said it had cancelled all its flights through October 10 and would update passengers about later scheduled departures.
EasyJet said it was pausing flights to and from Tel Aviv until October 13 at the earliest.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a memo urging US pilots to “use caution when flying in Israeli airspace,” according to Reuters.
How are cruises affected?
Many major cruise lines have had to make last-minute adjustments ahead of planned stops in Israel.
The Norwegian Jade ship has canceled its October 11 and 12 stops in Ashdod and Haifa, respectively, and will instead head to Turkey before ending its journey in Athens.
Royal Caribbean also announced it would cancel two sailings due to depart from Haifa on its Rhapsody of the Seas ship.
“We’ve been closely monitoring the geopolitical situation in Israel. With your safety and well-being in mind, and in conjunction with our Global Security Department, we’ve decided that we must cancel our October 9, 2023 and October 13, 2023 Rhapsody of the Seas sailings,” the company said in a statement.
The statement added that customers on the affected sailings would be eligible for full refunds.
Meanwhile, Celestyal Cruises is suspending all Israel ports of call through the end of November.
“On the advice of our internal teams and the relevant authorities we have decided to temporarily remove Israel from our Three Continents itinerary until the end of November this year,” Celestyal’s CEO, Chris Theophilides, said in a statement to CruiseCritic.com.
“We wish for the safety of all the souls affected and a rapid return of peace to the country.”
Are scheduled events still happening?
The Union of European Football Associations has called off all matches due to take place in Israel over the next few weeks. That includes a Euro 2024 qualifier between Israel and Switzerland, as well as Israel’s Euro Under-21 championship matches against Estonia and Germany.
“UEFA will continue to closely monitor the situation and will remain in contact with all teams involved before making decisions on new dates and on potential changes to other upcoming fixtures,” the European sporting body said in a statement.
Live Nation, the music and live events company, announced that a Bruno Mars concert scheduled to take place in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park on the weekend was canceled.
The Hawaiian musician performed to a sold-out crowd on October 4 and was due to hold a second concert on October 7. Live Nation said in a statement that everyone who had purchased tickets for the second show would be automatically refunded.
What are foreign governments saying?
Multiple countries have updated their guidance on travel to Israel and Gaza following the weekend attacks.
“The situation in Israel continues to be unpredictable,” said the US Embassy in Israel in a statement, which advised American citizens in Israel to contact the embassy in Jerusalem or the consulate in Tel Aviv.
If family members in the US are trying to get in touch with loved ones in Israel, there is a crisis intake form they can fill out to request support.
Meanwhile, the UK embassy recommends that British nationals in Israel contact and follow the advice of the Home Front Command, a civil defense group in Israel that conducts search and rescue operations.
In addition, the UK embassy advises that its citizens avoid several areas of the country that are currently dangerous, namely Gaza and the areas around the Lebanon border.
CNN’s Barry Neild, Nicole Goodkind, Jennifer Hansler, Sophie Jeong and Pete Muntean contributed reporting.
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