Foreign airlines operating in Israel would probably halt their flights only in the event of an Iraqi missile attack on Israel, aviation industry source believe.
During the 1991 Gulf War, all foreign airlines suspended their flights to Israel immediately after the first Scud missiles hit Tel Aviv. Only El Al and Arkia Airlines continued flying to and from Israel. The suspension of flights lasted four weeks, until the Israeli government said the population need no longer shelter in sealed rooms. Lufthansa was the first airline to resume flights to Israel.
Some foreign airlines operating in Israel have contingency plans for Israel flights dating from the Gulf War. While there was some doubt at the war's outbreak what its effect on Israel might be, safety considerations and instructions from their governments led to a complete cessation of regular and chartered flights to Israel.
Some foreign airlines have instructions to continue flying to Israel even in the event of a new military operation against Iraq. Swiss commercial manager in Israel Avner Gordon told ''Globes'' that the airline's managers in Zurich have promised flights will continue so long as any military confrontation with Iraq is confined to that country.
"Only if Iraqi missiles hit Israel will flights be suspended," said Gordon. "I was told by headquarters in Switzerland that they are committed to two daily flights to and from Israel during the winter season."
As for domestic flights, Arkia plans to continue its flights to Eilat, just as it did in 1991.
Arkia's legal counsel Dan Yaari said the airline would probably also continue its international flights, since the state will insure flights in wartime, through the government insurance company Inbal.
Some foreign airlines may decide to continue flights to Israel in the event of a war, but send the planes and crews to other countries for overnights. El Al, which will continue flying as usual, could profit from the situation, as the alternative to cancelled flights by other airlines.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on September 24, 2002