Airspace over Israel and neighboring countries is becoming increasingly hazardous for air traffic, according to security analysts monitoring the conflict initiated by Gaza-based Hamas forces on October 7. Business aviation flights in and out of Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (LLBG) are effectively blocked, with access limited to scheduled flights and chartered airliners.
During a webinar recording distributed on Friday morning, Osprey Flight Solutions’ chief intelligence officer Matthew Borie warned operators about the risk of a civil aircraft being shot down inadvertently by high-altitude, long-range air defense missiles fired from Iran-backed groups in Lebanon or Syria. Aviation regulators from the U.S., Europe, the UK, and Canada have all warned of ongoing risks from missiles and GPS/GNSS signal interference within a 200-nm radius of Israel.
On October 12, the Israeli Air Force attacked the Syrian airports at Aleppo and Damascus, destroying runways there to prevent military resupply flights to its enemies. With further air attacks expected and the prospect of an imminent Israeli ground invasion of Gaza, operators have been warned to expect a dangerous environment across the Tel Aviv (LLLL), Damascus (OSTT), and Beirut (OLBB) flight information regions for a prolonged period.
Dyami Security Intelligence has also warned its clients to maintain a high degree of vigilance if operating into or over Israel and the surrounding area. In particular, it advised operators to have robust security and contingency plans in place if sending aircrew and passengers into the region.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel, the agency is monitoring the military situation closely to determine whether a further escalation might require the closure of Ben Gurion International Airport. Libby Bahat said that traffic volumes are being restricted to mitigate the risk of having multiple aircraft on the ramp refueling or loading passengers at the same time.
In a written statement, Bahat said that to date there has been no direct missile strike on Israel's main airport. He explained that civil and military air traffic controllers are working in the same units to ensure that the Israel Defense Force's Iron Dome and David's Sling air defense system do not pose a threat to civil aircraft. He added that to guard against human error, these systems have built-in protection to prevent the missiles from intercepting aircraft on designated arrival and departure routes, which are separated.
Meanwhile, Gulfstream Aerospace has indicated that manufacturing of its G280 super-midsize business aircraft by its partner Israel Aerospace Industries has so far not been impacted by the conflict. At its Beersheva facility around 60 miles south of Tel Aviv, IAI makes the fuselage, empennage, and landing gear, and also handles final assembly with wings supplied by Spirit AeroSystems.
“We are monitoring the current situation in Israel,” a Gulfstream spokeswoman told AIN. “The safety of our employees, partners, and customers is our greatest priority. We have been in contact with IAI and know that the facilities are currently unharmed.