Israel
Risk Level: One - Do Not Fly
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Since October 2023, Israel has been involved in a major offensive against Hamas in Palestine. The conflict zone is primarily in the Gaza Strip, but there is also significant activity on the Israel-Lebanon border.
The primary risk is the fact that parts of Israel are active conflict zones. Periods of apparent stability in the rest of Israel, including Tel Aviv, could change at short notice. Rocket attacks from Hamas continue, albeit at a lower level than before the ground offensive was launched. A day-to-day review of the current situation is essential prior to operating.
The secondary risk is a multitude of factors from operating in a conflict zone: misidentification, debris from air defences, GPS spoofing, false EGPWS alerts (now common in Israeli airspace), and reduced route and diversion options in the event of an aircraft emergency.
Read: Opsgroup article - Israel: Tel Aviv airport & FIR risk, Oct 2023
Major Events:
Aug 2024: Potential for short-notice airspace closure early August, due to Iranian strikes on Israel. High risk at all Israeli airports. See OPSGROUP Briefing: Situation: Middle East / Israel – August 2024
Apr 2024: On Apr 14, Iran attacked Israel with a mix of drones and missiles. The majority were shot down before reaching Israel. A slew of airspace closures created a very challenging evening for flight ops. A briefing with all known information on the Israel/Iran situation is now live in the OPSGROUP Members Dashboard. Briefing URL: https://ops.group/dashboard/briefings/middle-east/
Oct 2023: Major offensive against Hamas launched by Israel, conflict ongoing.
May 2023: Israel published a Notam advising caution in the LLLL/Tel Aviv FIR due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, following a major rocket attack on May 10.
Aug 2021: Following an Israeli airstrike on Syria, Syria sent a surface to air missile towards Tel Aviv. The missile detonated off the coast of Israel and there was no damage.
May 2021: LLBG/Tel Aviv Airport was forced to close on several occasions, as air defence systems were activated around the country to repel incoming rocket attacks.
July 2014: Major rocket fire from Gaza against Tel Aviv during the Gaza War. The US FAA responded by imposing restrictions at LLBG/Tel Aviv airport for a two day period, and EASA advised that operators suspend flights, which ultimately resulted in 30 airlines cancelling flights.
The primary risk is the fact that parts of Israel are active conflict zones. Periods of apparent stability in the rest of Israel, including Tel Aviv, could change at short notice. Rocket attacks from Hamas continue, albeit at a lower level than before the ground offensive was launched. A day-to-day review of the current situation is essential prior to operating.
The secondary risk is a multitude of factors from operating in a conflict zone: misidentification, debris from air defences, GPS spoofing, false EGPWS alerts (now common in Israeli airspace), and reduced route and diversion options in the event of an aircraft emergency.
Read: Opsgroup article - Israel: Tel Aviv airport & FIR risk, Oct 2023
Major Events:
Aug 2024: Potential for short-notice airspace closure early August, due to Iranian strikes on Israel. High risk at all Israeli airports. See OPSGROUP Briefing: Situation: Middle East / Israel – August 2024
Apr 2024: On Apr 14, Iran attacked Israel with a mix of drones and missiles. The majority were shot down before reaching Israel. A slew of airspace closures created a very challenging evening for flight ops. A briefing with all known information on the Israel/Iran situation is now live in the OPSGROUP Members Dashboard. Briefing URL: https://ops.group/dashboard/briefings/middle-east/
Oct 2023: Major offensive against Hamas launched by Israel, conflict ongoing.
May 2023: Israel published a Notam advising caution in the LLLL/Tel Aviv FIR due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, following a major rocket attack on May 10.
Aug 2021: Following an Israeli airstrike on Syria, Syria sent a surface to air missile towards Tel Aviv. The missile detonated off the coast of Israel and there was no damage.
May 2021: LLBG/Tel Aviv Airport was forced to close on several occasions, as air defence systems were activated around the country to repel incoming rocket attacks.
July 2014: Major rocket fire from Gaza against Tel Aviv during the Gaza War. The US FAA responded by imposing restrictions at LLBG/Tel Aviv airport for a two day period, and EASA advised that operators suspend flights, which ultimately resulted in 30 airlines cancelling flights.
Current warnings list :
| Source | Reference | Issued | Valid to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | Notam UUUU A5277/24 | 15 Aug 2024 | 15 Sep 2024 | |
| Canada | AIC 13/24 | 10 Oct 2023 | Ongoing | |
| Italy | AIC 33/23 | 10 Jul 2023 | 05 Oct 2024 |
Source: Russia
Reference: Notam UUUU A5277/24
Issued: 15-Aug-24, valid until: 15 Sep 2024
Plain English: Russian operators prohibited from LLBG/Tel Aviv at night, daylight ops only.
DUE TO UNSTABLE MILITARY AND POLITICAL SITUATION IN ISRAEL, FROM NOW UNTIL 0900 UTC 240915 (EST), RESTRICTIONS ON NGT DEP BTN 2200 UTC AND 0400 UTC FROM AIRPORTS OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO AIRPORTS OF STATE OF ISRAEL IMPOSED BY FEDERAL AIR TRANSPORT AGENCY OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. AIR CARRIERS SHALL PLAN FLT OPS TO STATE OF ISRAEL AT DAYTIME AFTER RISK ASSESSMENT WITH ACCOUNT FOR PROVISIONS AS PER RISK ASSESSMENT MANUAL FOR CIV ACFT OPS OVER OR NEAR CONFLICT ZONES (ICAO DOC 10084 SECOND EDITION, 2018). 15 AUG 05:43 2024 UNTIL 15 SEP 09:00 2024 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 15 AUG 06:00 2024
Source: Canada
Reference: AIC 13/24
Issued: 10-Oct-23, valid until: Ongoing
Plain English: Caution to Canadian operators in the LLLL/Tel Aviv FIR due to potential risk from military activity.
Level 1 (Information)
Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are advised to take all potential risk information into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within FIR Tel Aviv (LLLL). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
Canadian Air Operators and owners of aircraft registered in Canada are advised to take all potential risk information into account in their risk assessment and routing decisions within FIR Tel Aviv (LLLL). Potential risk from anti-aviation weaponry and military operations.
Source: Italy
Reference: AIC 33/23
Issued: 10-Jul-23, valid until: 05 Oct 2024
Plain English: Italian operators should exercise caution in the LLLL/Tel Aviv FIR and follow Notams and ATC instructions closely (Israel might publish restrictions at short notice when air defenses are repelling attacks from Gaza and Syria).
Air carriers and pilots in command are requested to exercise enhanced caution when overflying or operating flights to Israel (FIR LLLL - Tel Aviv). It is requested to follow instructions from Israeli authorities providing air traffic management, and to pay particular attention to restrictions or interdictions published by notam with very short notice, due to a potentially fast evolving situation.