Ben-Gurion Airport will remain open for now, but officials are expected to reduce the number of passengers and departing flights following the resumption of hostilities and missile attacks from Iran, according to Israeli authorities.
The IDF's Home Front Command is seeking to lower the number of passengers at the airport to around 2,500, a move that would reduce the number of outbound flights. The Transportation Ministry, however, is pushing for a higher cap of 5,000 passengers. At present, the airport remains open and is operating normally until further notice.
Wizz Air first airline to cancel Ben-Gurion operations amid threat of Iran, Houthi missiles
Meanwhile, the Hungarian low-cost airline, Wizz Air, announced that it is suspending flights to Israel on Monday and Tuesday because of the security situation.
A flight operated by the airline that left Warsaw, Poland, heading towards Tel Aviv, turned around and landed in Larnaca, Cyprus, after the pilot refused to enter Israeli airspace.
"The company informs its customers that it is temporarily suspending its flights to Israel for today and tomorrow, June 8 and 9, in response to the current escalation in the region. The resumption of flights to Israel is currently planned for June 10, subject to the situation. The safety and security of passengers and crew remain the company’s top priority, and it continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in coordination with the relevant authorities," Wizz said.
Haifa Airport continues regular operations
Haifa Airport is also operating as usual. According to reports from the airport, Air Haifa continues to fly hundreds of Israeli passengers to Larnaca, Mykonos, Paphos, Athens, and other destinations.
Earlier, El Al announced that passengers holding tickets for flights scheduled through June 13 would be eligible for a free postponement or a voucher for a future flight.
Tourism ministry opens emergency operations center
Meanwhile, the Tourism Ministry said it had opened an emergency operations center following a situational assessment led by Director-General Michael Itzhakov. The center is intended to coordinate the relocation of residents to hotels if homes are damaged by missile strikes.
As part of the transition from routine operations to an emergency footing, Itzhakov instructed ministry employees, particularly regional managers appointed to oversee different areas, to follow Home Front Command directives and prepare to carry out their assigned responsibilities should local authorities request assistance in housing evacuees at hotels across the country.
The ministry also said that 27,165 tourists who entered Israel during the past 30 days are currently in the country.
The airport remains operational, but authorities are continuing to assess the security situation and may adjust restrictions as conditions evolve.