FAA prohibits all U.S. airlines from flying into Tel Aviv for up to 24 hours

WASHINGTON, July 22 (KUNA) -- The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Tuesday that it was prohibiting all U.S. airlines from flying to or from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, for up to 24 hours after rockets landed near the airport.
Prior to the FAA announcement, several U.S. airlines suspended flights to Israel on Tuesday, citing security concerns, with one company specifically citing a rocket attack near Tel Aviv.
Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and US Airways made the decision.
Delta said it suspended service between its hub in New York and Tel Aviv "to ensure the safety and security of our customers and employees." Hamas forces in Gaza have been launching rockets into Israel for days, part of a two-week-old military conflict between Israel and the Palestinian territory that has left some 560 dead in Gaza and killed 25 Israeli soldiers. (end) rm.mt