Israeli Airports Reopen After Iran-Induced Closure Amid Holiday Rush
Following a significant Iranian drone and missile attack, Israel’s airspace has been reopened after a seven-hour closure enforced by defense directives. The Israel Airports Authority confirmed that Ben Gurion Airport has resumed normal activities, although Ramon Airport in southern Israel will remain closed until further notice.
This reopening comes after Israel faced over 300 drone and missile attacks overnight. During the closure, international and domestic flights were halted as a safety measure. Now, Ben Gurion Airport is operational again, but with expected changes to flight schedules. Passengers are urged to verify their flight times with airlines or through the Airport Authority before heading to the airport.
Despite the disruptions caused by the closure of Israeli airspace, determined travelers flocked to Ben Gurion Airport, albeit with some adjustments to the flight schedule. The airport, which had anticipated handling 52,000 passengers on 380 flights today, saw numbers revised down, with only about 30,000 people able to travel due to flight cancellations by several airlines.
El Al Israel Airlines and Arkia, along with Israir, have been significantly affected, with many flights either canceled or rescheduled. El Al has provided a detailed table of the affected flights and assures that alternatives will be offered where possible. Additionally, the airspace closure prompted several international carriers, including Air France and KLM, to cancel their flights to and from Israel.
