Israel flight ramp up after airspace closure

Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport and other airports across the country are close to full operations following several days of almost total inactivity.

However, rescue flights have been operating in the past few days to evacuate stranded tourists and bring home an estimated 150,000 Israelis stuck overseas,

“Restrictions on the number of incoming and outgoing flights, as well as the number of passengers on each flight, have been lifted,” Israel Airports Authority said.

“In addition, restrictions on the arrival of passengers and accompanying persons at the airports have been lifted.”

Transportation Minister Miri Regev said earlier this week that airport operating hours would be extended and Ben Gurion Airport would operate round the clock for the next few days.

El Al is now operating flights at full seat capacity.

It said it will add flights from major cities where Israelis are currently still stranded.

This includes more flights from Budapest, Bucharest, Amsterdam, Prague, Madrid, Milan, Warsaw and Sofia.