An air train of Israelis, who wanted to arrive or leave the country before the closure of Ben Gurion Airport for commercial passenger flights, passed yesterday (Monday) as early as this morning. Data from the Airports Authority show that during the day, about 5,500 passengers passed through Ben Gurion Airport on 53 international flights, compared with an average of only about 2,000 in recent days. The segmentation shows that about 2,700 of the passengers yesterday were on outbound flights and about 2,800 on incoming flights .
The Airports Authority prepared for the air train, together with the Population Authority and the Ministry of Health. Everyone who entered the country was asked to present a negative corona test and was required to enter isolation. “We will continue to operate Ben Gurion Airport in accordance with the guidelines,” clarified a senior PA official who did not hide his excitement ahead of the unprecedented closure of the airport for commercial passenger flights.
Ben Gurion Airport Before Closing the Sky (Credit: Avshalom Shashoni)
The airlines also prepared for the closure of Ben Gurion Airport and brought flights forward. Israir’s VP of marketing, Gil Satyu, told Maariv that flights from Tbilisi and Kiev were brought forward today, in order to bring Israelis back to Israel. “We will continue to maintain the line to Eilat and carry out cargo and rescue flights if necessary,” he added.
During the day, long queues were reported at the airports of Israelis who hurried back to Israel. “I did a quick corona test to get back to Israel early. I had already been vaccinated twice and the closure of the sky to Israel surprised me,” said a passenger who was about to board a flight from New York to Ben Gurion Airport.
Hundreds of passengers managed to return to the country from New York, after undergoing rapid corona tests, at a cost of about $ 250 per test. It was learned that there were Israelis who decided not to return to Israel, including in Dubai, in anticipation of a speedy end to the closing of the sky. It is estimated that although the ban on passenger flights is until Sunday at midnight, it will be decided to extend it. “Apparently we will see humanitarian requests and maybe special flights will be decided during the closing of the sky,” an airline official estimated. Airlines are already preparing for the possibility of rescue flights for Israelis. Under the new regulations, it will be possible to make private flights and subject to special approval.
Ben Gurion Airport inactive following the decision to stop flights (Photo: Avshalom Shashoni)Israir is examining the possibility of flying Israelis who want to return to the country from Cyprus, from where the costs of private flights are cheaper compared to their European countries. However, this will depend on the demand and the number of Israelis who will have to come to Cyprus. Private jet rental companies are also preparing for the possibility of applications for flights on chartered aircraft. However, even a private flight is subject to approval from a special exceptions committee.
Meanwhile, the Amsalem Tours Group has announced the strengthening of the hotline it operates, following the closure of Ben Gurion Airport. The group has announced that it will offer professional services to passengers who wish to return to Israel soon.
“The service will be provided to the general public, even to customers who have purchased tickets online and do not have an answer at the various airlines,” Amsalem Tours noted – “There are a significant number of passengers who have purchased tickets and the same people are facing a broken trough. They have appropriate guidelines. “
According to Yaakov Amsalem, CEO and owner of the Amsalem Tours Group, the announcement of the closure of Ben Gurion Airport raises many questions among travelers staying abroad, whether for tourism or business. “We see that there are quite a few inquiries to the center to understand The situation and many ask that we manage the situation for them to find solutions for their return to Israel as soon as possible, “he noted.