A Russian army exercise is currently being carried out in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin. The exercise is scheduled to end on Saturday September 8, 2018.

Due to the nature of the exercise, a notice was sent to the airlines about changes in the routes and approaches in the Cyprus area that affect the international flight routes to and from Israel. As a result of the change in routes, there may be delays in landings and takeoffs.

These days, the days before Rosh Hashanah, are expected to be quite busy in the airport, with airport officials expecting 90,000 travelers on Wednesday on 588 flights and 107,000 passengers on Thursday, on 650 flights. The changes in flight patterns come at a peak travel season for Israelis, but the delays are reality and not in the control of Israel for airlines flying to and from Ben-Gurion.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)