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Major airlines have suspended flights to Israel’s main international airport near Tel Aviv following a rocket strike nearby.
US carriers Delta Air Lines, United and US Airways halted flights for 24 hours following an instruction by the US Federal Aviation Administration.
EasyJet, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, Swiss and other European carriers also suspended flights following a “strong recommendation” by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Air France said in a statement: “Air France has decided to suspend flights to Tel Aviv until further notice. Air France’s security department is closely monitoring local developments in real time. The safety of our passengers and our crews remains our top priority”
However, British Airways continued to operate services to the airport, Ben Gurion International.
BA said it was “closely monitoring the situation”, but that “flights are currently operating as scheduled”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately sought a resumption of US flights. The Israeli government issued a statement saying: “Ben Gurion Airport is safe.”
However, a Delta flight from New York to Tel Aviv was diverted to Paris following the rocket strike yesterday.
Israel was continuing its military operation in Gaza today. More than 640 Palestinians and 31 Israelis have been killed in the past fortnight.