FAA Extends Flight Ban to Israel

Even as Michael Bloomberg flies in to prove it's safe
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 23, 2014 12:09 PM CDT
FAA Extends Flight Ban to Israel
A arrivals flight board displays various canceled and delayed flights in Ben Gurion International airport in Tel Aviv.   (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)

Travelers stuck in limbo because of flights grounded at the Tel Aviv airport just got some bad news: The FAA is extending its ban on flights to the Ben Gurion International Airport for at least another 24 hours, to 12:15pm Eastern tomorrow, reports CNN. European airlines are following suit, with Air France, Lufthansa, and Air Berlin suspending flights through tomorrow at least, reports the AP. Authorities are worried about rocket strikes, either deliberate or inadvertent, taking place near the airport.

Meanwhile, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg flew into Tel Aviv last night on Israeli airline El Al to make a point, reports CBS New York. “I’m just trying to show that it’s safe, and a great place to visit, and Israel has a right to defend its people, and they’re doing exactly what they should be doing," he said upon arrival. (Earlier, John Kerry flew in to Israel to try to give peace talks a jolt, even as fighting continues.)

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