Israel-South Africa flights not affected

Israel’s flag carrier El Al has not cancelled flights between South Africa and Tel Aviv, despite the escalating hostilities in that country.

El Al Airlines operates scheduled flights between Johannesburg and Tel Aviv. According to Travel News, its flights from Johannesburg to Tel Aviv on Tuesday 10 October and Thursday 12 October have not been suspended.

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FLIGHT SUSPENSIONS

A number of airlines have cancelled their flights into Israel at this time. Among these are: Air France, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Emirates, Iberia Express, LOT Polish Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Aegean Airlines.

From the United States, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines have suspended their flights to Tel Aviv.

ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS

Hindustan Times reports that several Israel-based airlines including El Al, Israir and Arkia have indeed added more services to their flight schedules from today (Tuesday).

This is in an effort to bring reservists from other parts of the world back to Israel. These extra trips come after Israel said on Monday that it had called up 300 000 reservists.  

EVACUATION OPERATIONS ON FLIGHTS

Flights evacuating foreigners are still departing from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport. 

Israeli airports authority said that 67 000 passengers were expected to travel through Ben Gurion on Tuesday.  

This is just short of the 80 000 passengers that would ordinarily use the airport each day under normal circumstances.

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LOOKING AHEAD

The flight schedules of Israel’s airlines may well be reduced in the coming days. This is because several foreign crew members based in Israel will leave the country for their own safety. 

At the same time, some Israeli crew members could also be conscripted to perform military duties, causing staff shortages for airlines.

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