El Al flight to Newark returns to Israel mid-flight due to extreme snowstorm in US

According to flight boards in Newark, all incoming flights were cancelled, and a large number of outbound flights were delayed or postponed.

The closure is due to a significant snowstorm that hit the New York area, causing snow to accumulate on runways, strong winds, and limited visibility.

In such extreme weather conditions, airport authorities and the United States Federal Aviation Administration often close airports to landings to reduce safety risks.

Deciding to turn a plane around so far into a flight is a complex operational decision.

Aircraft crews often consider several alternatives to turning around, including waiting in the air or landing at an alternative US or Canadian airport.

The decision to return the flight to Israel was made based on the remaining flight time, the availability of alternative airports, and crew limitations.

Beyond the inconvenience of returning to Ben-Gurion, there are also significant financial consequences to turning a plane around.

A transatlantic flight incurs huge fuel costs, payment for aircraft crews, landing and parking fees, ground handling, and passenger service expenses.

Not reaching Newark may also lead to expenses for passengers who were supposed to take connecting flights after landing, those who had accommodations at their destination booked, and any passengers who have to rebook alternative flights.

When a major airport like Newark Liberty, one of the main entry points to the New York area, experiences such a closure, airlines can lose millions of dollars in a single day.

El Al passengers are now expected to wait at Ben-Gurion Airport for updates on an alternative flight. The airline will need to assess weather conditions, the timing of Newark’s reopening, and the availability of planes and crews.