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Date: 13/10/2023
Where:
Israel, Gaza
Who’s involved:
Israeli government, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iranian government.
What has happened since October 11th?
Most airlines have postponed their flight operations into Ben Gurion airport.
Only carriers still flying at Ben Gurion International airport besides the current NEO missions are El Al, and Israeli Airlines (Isair), Austria,, Fly Dubai, Emirates, Sun Express, Tus Air, Blue Bird, Ethiopian Airlines, Georgian Airways.
Countries currently undertaking or completed NEO (Noncombatant Evacuation Operations).
Austria, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Chili, Czechia, Germany, Hungaria, Italy, Mexico, Norway, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.
We haven’t received any laser attacks reports since 11 October at Ben Gurion International airport, most were reported earlier during the approach phase and a couple during departure.
The Red Alert app, warning for missile attacks, continues to be under cyber attack and offline from time to time.
On Thursday Oct 12th the Israeli Air Force conducted combat operations in Syria, successfully targeting Aleppo International Airport (ALP) and Damascus International Airport (DAM) destroying the runways at both airports to prevent military supply missions.
Like the previous days, the 12th and during the morning on the 13th multiple Rocket attacks were undertaken by Hamas aimed at Tel Aviv and a few at Ben Gurion airport, non penetrated successfully. The airport remained open during the attacks and they had no effect on the Flight Operations. Since the start of the current conflict no missile was successful at hitting the airport or any of the structures.
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. 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. .
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 is still in effect:
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).
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 remains unchanged.
Analysis:
Status Quo, For the current situation we don’t expect the Israeli Air Force to conduct a similar operation against Beirut International Airport (BEY) as conducted in Syria due to the high number of International flights. Beirut International airport conducts around 500 flights per week. Most flights are between Istanbul and Beirut, Dubai and beirut, and Cairo-Beirut; Current carriers operating frequently are Air France, Lufthansa and Transavia. Saudi Air has postponed its flight operation to Beirut until further notice.
Escalation; In the event of Hezbollah openly entering the war when Israel starts the ground war we foresee military action from the Israeli Air Force aimed at destroying the runway of Beirut International airport and other airports in Lebanon as highly likely.
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 ground war is expected to start within 24 hours resulting in an increase of missile attacks aimed at Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport, 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.