El Al cancels flights as Israel tightens travel restrictions after planes hit in missile attack

Israeli airlines cancel upcoming flights as the Transportation Ministry imposes tighter limits on air travel following Iranian missile attack that left multiple aircraft damaged at Israel’s largest airport.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli authorities have tightened restrictions on air travel in and out of the country, restoring limits imposed earlier in the war with Iran after multiple aircraft were struck by pieces of a missile at Israel’s largest airport.

On Wednesday, the Home Front Command and the Transportation Ministry restored the previous limits imposed on the number of passengers permitted on flights through Ben Gurion International Airport, capping US-bound flights at 50% of total capacity, or roughly 130 passengers.

Flights to Thailand are now restricted to 135 passengers per plane, down from 270, while flights to Europe are still limited to 120 passengers per plane, the same number as before.

The decision reverses a loosening of restrictions that began on Monday and came in response to an Iranian missile attack that resulted in three private aircraft suffering damage at Ben Gurion International Airport.

The three planes were hit by debris from a missile interception, the Israel Airports Authority said.

A number of airlines have canceled flights to and from Israel, including the national carrier, El Al, which nixed all flights through next week, canceling some 25,000 tickets.

The flights spanned 28 destinations, including Tbilisi, Budapest, Zurich, Barcelona, Belgrade, Berlin, Boston, Batumi, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Heraklion, Krakow, Larnaca, London Luton, Lyon, Marseille, Bucharest, Paphos, Prague, Chisinau, Thessaloniki, Sofia, Salzburg, Podgorica, Tirana, Tivat, Venice and Vienna.

The airline said it cannot book new flights for customers whose tickets were canceled, and instead has offered vouchers or refunds.

Two other Israeli airlines, Israir and Arkia, have also suspended flights, with Israir canceling all flights through April 12, while Arkia has canceled all flights until March 28.