Airlines began to massively cancel flights to Israel – approximately two-thirds of flights were canceled at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport. Meanwhile, the war of sorts has spilled over directly to Ben Gurion Airport, with panicked tourists storming ticket offices in an attempt to fly out of the country, and rockets from the Gaza Strip hitting the airport for the first time. Some countries have already started organizing evacuation flights from Israel for their citizens.
Among the airlines that canceled flights, the Western press names almost all popular European and Middle Eastern carriers. Flights were temporarily canceled by Lufthansa, Emirates, Air France-KLM, Ryanair, Aegean Airlines, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Wizz Air, Air Canada, and LOT.
In turn, Turkish Airlines stated that it granted the right to free cancellation and refund to its passengers who planned to fly to Israel in the coming days. For the time being, flights through Monday inclusive are being offered free refunds for all flights to tourists registered for flights to Tel Aviv, and tickets can be extended until November 30 without any difference in fares or penalties.
Meanwhile, as reported in social networks, people in Israel are lined up for hours at Ben Gurion Airport, which is located in Tel Aviv. They are trying to leave the country amid the escalating conflict over the Gaza Strip, but many flights are being canceled.