Travel, Tourism Flipped Upside Down in Israel

Photo: 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 cancelled flights in and out of Israel and governments are revising travel guidance for those heading to the region.

The situation remains fluid and all information is subject to sudden change, but here’s what travelers need to know following the attacks.

Among the locations Hamas has claimed it is targeting is Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s international hub, located just outside Tel Aviv. 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.

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.

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.