Rockets delay flights landing in Tel Aviv, airport operations resume

Airports Authority: Despite minor landing disruptions, airport ‘operating as usual’

ARRIVING AT Ben-Gurion Airport in Feb. Tourism is one of several industries that was absorbed a harsh economic impact due to the war in Gaza prompted by the October 7 attacks. (photo credit: FLASH90)
ARRIVING AT Ben-Gurion Airport in Feb. Tourism is one of several industries that was absorbed a harsh economic impact due to the war in Gaza prompted by the October 7 attacks.
(photo credit: FLASH90)

Flights to Israel were briefly prevented from landing at Ben-Gurion Airport on Wednesday due to rockets being fired from the Gaza Strip toward Tel Aviv. Aircraft were instructed to take a several-minute detour before landing safely at the airport, Ynet reported.

Despite minor disruptions, airport operations have been unaffected by the rocket fire, the Airports Authority said.

Airport operations return to normal

“Ben-Gurion Airport is operating as usual,” it said in a statement. “There is currently no impact on the flight schedule. The flight routes have been adjusted as needed and coordinated with the Air Force.”

 Time change is showed on a fight information board, as China's no fly and no shipping zone comes into force in East China Sea to the north of Taiwan, at Taoyuan International airport in Taoyuan, Taiwan April 16, 2023.  (credit: REUTERS/ANN WANG)
Time change is showed on a fight information board, as China's no fly and no shipping zone comes into force in East China Sea to the north of Taiwan, at Taoyuan International airport in Taoyuan, Taiwan April 16, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/ANN WANG)

Even though Ben-Gurion Airport was still operating, not all other airports around the world followed suit. At midday Wednesday, at least one Israel-bound flight from England turned around in midair and returned to London.

If rocket fire toward Tel Aviv continues, it is likely that other flights from other nations will reconsider landing in the country, or entering its airspace, until the skies are clear.