FAA Orders ALL US Airlines to Suspend Flights to Israel

Teresa Neumann : Jul 22, 2014
Niv Elis – The Jerusalem Post

Israeli Transportation Minister Israel Katz insists the banning of flights is unnecessary: "There is no reason for the American companies to stop their flights and give a prize to terror."

(New York, NY)—The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has implemented a ban on all US flights traveling to and from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport.

"The FAA immediately notified US carriers when the agency learned of the rocket strike and informed them that the agency was finalizing a [Notice to Airmen]" prohibiting the flights.

Delta and United both said the suspended flight implementation was indefinite.

One industry source was quoted as saying the ban may spread. "As soon as the FAA gives such an order to US carriers," said the source, "in most cases it's a domino effect, and most European carriers will be forced to suspend their flights."

Israeli Transportation Minister Israel Katz warned against giving Hamas a "coup" in the situation, recognizing that tensions are high because of the recently downed Malaysian flight in Ukraine. He called on American airline companies to return to normal functioning, assuring them that Ben Gurion airport was safe for landings and takeoffs.

"There is no reason for the American companies to stop their flights and give a prize to terror," he said.