Israel Responds to Cancellation of Flights

As fears mounted post the downing of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine that killed around 300 people, major U.S., European and Canadian airlines cancelled flights to and from Israel after a rocket fired from Gaza struck near Tel Aviv international airport, AFP reports. 

The cancellations highlighted the growing terror, of a rocket hitting another passenger plane, among the international community. On the other hand, in response to the flight cancellations, Israel is set to open its second international airport, The Jerusalem Post reports.

Transportation Minister Israel Katz, Wednesday, ordered relevant agencies to immediately open the Ovda airport, which is the country's second terminus for air traffic (lying just north of Eilat).

Katz met senior civilian aviation officials who suggested that the Ovda airport could be utilized to replace the Ben-Gurion Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned US airlines from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport for at least 24 hours, stating that the hostile situation in the region might pose a threat to hundreds of passengers travelling to and from Israel.

"Due to the potentially hazardous situation created by the armed conflict in Israel and Gaza, all flight operations to/from Ben Gurion International Airport by US operators are prohibited until further advised," stated the FAA's Notice to Airmen.

Delta, US Airways and United Airlines obeyed the order; Delta diverted a Tel Aviv-bound Boeing 747 - which was carrying 273 passengers and 17 crew members to Paris.

The US Airways flights to Tel Aviv were routed through Philadelphia. Air France announced that it was canceling its Tel Aviv flights "until further notice." Following it, Lufthansa said it was doing likewise for 72 hours. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines suspended its services as well due to "security reasons."

Meanwhile, speaking to the media Katz said that Ovda would begin its operations at noon local time. The minister said that authorities are trying to provide services to some 4,000 Israelis who were left stranded in Istanbul after their airlines refused to fly post the FAA ban announced Tuesday.