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Date: 10/10/2023
Where:
Israel, Gaza
Who’s involved:
Israeli government, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iranian government.
What happened since October 9th?
A couple of Rocket attacks happened near Ben Gurion airport, during the morning attack on Oct 9th only one rocket penetrated successfully falling in an empty adjacent lot next to the airport. This attack temporarily closed the airport. So far no missile was successful at hitting the airport grounds or structures. This however did force flights into a holding pattern while air defense was working . The afternoon and evening attacks had no effect on flight operations.
The Israeli Defense force has taken additional mitigation measures on the ground and in the air to minimize the potential threat of Surface to Air Missiles attacks against Flight Operations at Ben Gurion airport. Hamas claims to have developed the Mubar-1 missile from a ground to ground missile to a ground to air missile. These missiles are unguided and use a pretimed fusing system and pose a very small threat to aircraft. Various sources claim that Hamas is in the possession of 9K32 Strela-2 Manpads, with a slant range from 3.4 to 4.2 km (2.1 to 2.6 mi) and ceiling from 1.5 to 2.3 km (0.93 to 1.43 mi). With the current measures in place around Ben Gurion International Airport and the arrival and departure routes, the potential threat of this being used against the current flight operations at Ben Gurion airport is minimal.
Most airlines still look at the situation on a day-by-day basis and have announced to postpone flight operations until thursday.
Only carriers still flying are El Al, and Israeli Airlines (Isair), Turkish Airlines, Swiss Air, British Airways (morning rotation) and a couple of low cost Carriers to and from countries in the region.
Lufthansa Cargo is continuously monitoring the development of the situation closely and is in close contact with the authorities. Decisions on the future flight program will be taken on Thursday Oct 12th.
British Airways has changed its daily flights from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv so that they depart in the morning instead of the afternoon. It is thought the move is to avoid crew having to stay overnight in Israel.
As of Sunday Oct 8 th there are no more General Aviation(business) flights possible to and from LLBG Ben Gurion International Airport as per NOTAM:
A1089/23 NOTAMR A1059/23
Q) LLLL/QFALT/IV/NBO/A /000/999/3201N03453E005
A) LLBG B) 2310081328 C) 2310191600
E) ARR OF GA ACFT PROHIBITED FM OCT 08 0500UTC (0800LMT).
DEP OF GA ACFT PROHIBITED FM OCT 08 1700UTC (2000LMT).
Countries currently undertaking or completed NEO (Noncombatant Evacuation Operations).
Brazil, Bulgaria, Hungaria, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Romania, United States.
Countries planning NEO (Noncombatant Evacuation Operations).
Chili, United Kingdom.
CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) Israel informs that Eilat-Ramon International airport (LLER-ETM) is available, both as a preferable alternate airport and as a possible destination within Israel, outside the present zone of conflict.
Israair Airlines has begun operating flights from Ramon Airport to the following destinations:: Athens, Vienna, Oslo, Paris and London.
EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) brought out a CZIB (Conflict Zone Information Bulletin) for the Tel Aviv FIR (Flight Information Region) FIR Tel Aviv (LLLL) Oct 8th, 2023
Analysis:
If flying to Ben Gurion, contingency fuel is needed in case of (temporary) airport closure. Ben Gurion is a primary target for Hamas missile strikes.
The war is expected to continue for at least the near future, and a day-to-day assessment should be made on the security of the airspace and the country.
Air operators should closely monitor airspace developments in the region and follow all available aeronautical publications issued by Israeli State authorities, alongside available guidance or direction from their national authorities, including information shared through the European Information Sharing and Cooperation Platform on Conflict Zones.
Air Operations who will have crew staying overnight provide their crew with proper security training and information for the ground situation, like location to the nearest bomb shelter, etc this information is being provided by the Israel authorities.
They should ensure that a robust risk assessment is in place together with a high level of contingency planning for their operations and be ready for short notice instructions from the Israeli authorities.