Ben Gurion Airport Operates Normally Amid Iran Tensions, Travelers Urged to Book Flexible Flights

Despite renewed security tensions with Iran, Ben Gurion Airport continues to operate normally without flight cancellations or changes to passenger guidelines. Approximately 95,000 travelers passed through the airport yesterday, a notably high figure for the current summer season. However, the tourism sector reports a slowdown in new bookings, attributed to the combination of the intermediate days of the Three Weeks period, Tisha B'Av, and the uncertain security situation. Some travelers are postponing vacation decisions due to these factors.

Industry experts note that many Israelis have become accustomed to complex security conditions, so there is no widespread panic or significant halt in travel activity at this stage. Lawyer Asher Rotbaum advised passengers to prioritize flight options that offer cancellation or rescheduling flexibility amid the tense environment. He recommended purchasing services that allow flight cancellations close to the departure date, often for an additional fee, to ensure refunds or partial reimbursements.

Travel insurance policies should also be expanded to include flexible cancellation and compensation coverage as a precaution. When booking hotels, which are usually not included in flight packages, travelers are advised to confirm cancellation policies that allow last-minute changes. Although hotels often waive cancellation fees under these circumstances, it is safer to pay extra for flexible terms to avoid financial loss and travel stress.