Airspace Closed, Airlines Evacuate: Israel Prepares for Escalation

Israel’s airspace was shut down due to a declared state of emergency, prompting all airlines, including Israeli carriers, to cancel flights to and from the country. The closure, announced by the Civil Aviation Authority minutes before nationwide sirens, is expected to last at least four days, with Ben Gurion International Airport likely remaining closed through June 17. Foreign airlines may take longer to resume operations, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. Passengers are advised to contact travel agents or airline websites for refunds or to reschedule flights, as the security situation exacerbated by ongoing conflicts with Hamas and regional threats continues to evolve.

El Al, Israel’s flagship carrier, confirmed the suspension of all flights, stating, “Following the declaration of a special homefront situation and the closure of Israel’s airspace for takeoffs and landings, as decided by security authorities, El Al has canceled all its flights.” The airline offered flexibility, noting, “Due to the situation, El Al allows customers with bookings until June 13, 2025, and tickets for departures until June 28, 2025, to cancel their flights and convert tickets into vouchers for future use. Customers whose flights were canceled due to the security situation can receive a full refund.” El Al also closed new bookings for flights until June 30, 2025, and advised passengers scheduled for June 15 or 16 not to come to the airport, urging those abroad to arrange accommodations until security guidelines change.

Israir Airlines, aligning with the Civil Aviation Authority, completed an evacuation of its aircraft from Ben Gurion, stating, “In accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority’s recommendation, Israir is finalizing the evacuation and transfer of its aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport as part of a special preparedness plan developed in recent days.” The airline praised its crew, saying, “Israir expresses deep gratitude to its dedicated employees air and ground crews at Ben Gurion for their professional, responsible, and uncompromising work under complex conditions, driven by a true sense of mission.” Israir pledged to monitor security updates and provide further information.

For Israelis abroad, the Foreign Ministry is gathering data and advised, “In case of emergency or distress, contact the Foreign Ministry’s situation room at 02-5303155 or local security services.” Recommendations include avoiding Jewish or Israeli symbols in public, refraining from sharing travel plans online, steering clear of Israel-affiliated events, cooperating with local security, and maintaining heightened vigilance. With 53 hostages still held by Hamas and regional tensions escalating, Israel faces significant travel disruptions.