The Israel Airports Authority reports that the takeoff and landing routes at Ben Gurion Airport have been altered as a result of the narrowing of the civilian air corridor caused by Operation Protective Edge.
Instead of the usual east-to-west takeoffs, takeoffs are now in the opposite direction: west-to-east on Runway 08, while landings are north-to-south on the new Runway 21, which was launched only recently and aroused complaints from many communities now suffering from airplane noise pollution.
The Airports Authority praised the foreign airlines, which are continuing to fly to and from Israel as usual, despite the missiles fired at Israel and the Iron Dome missiles fired to intercept them. Other than one Air France flight canceled two days ago, not a single flight has been canceled.
At the same time, due to the security situation, the foreign airlines have decided to land at Ben Gurion Airport and take off immediately, without any delay or stays in Israel by their air staff. This is causing crowding at the airport and delaying flight timetables. The Airports Authority asserts that these delays are no longer than 30-60 minutes.
The foreign airlines have also been asked to fly to Israel with a larger than usual stock of fuel, because flights are being delayed in the air by Red Alert missile warnings, and are not cleared for landing until the alarm stops.
All this is happening in Ben Gurion Airport's busiest season. 403 incoming and outgoing flights are expected today, with 63,000 passengers passing through the airport.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 10, 2014
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