Israel And Ben Gurion COVID-19 Reopening Master Thread

[PlatinumGuy]

Arent they also concerned about the hike in the number of cases among kids?

I don't think that's so much of a problem once the at-risk population is vaccinated.

[points 99]

It's been asked 100 times already, Dan is 

not sure what the big secret is. There are 2 simple ways to achieve global, for those who arrange lots of tix. Either you know someone who has it - they can gift it to 1 person per year, or you buy a 50k PassPlus prepaid ticket package (that's about 250 amex cards' airline fees used for Travelbank). Anyone who saw Dan's card collection, knows it's no big deal...

[tavster]

I find it hard to believe schools will start opening on Feb 1 but not the airport. It would be a major paradigm shift from previous norms. There are tons of Israelis abroad and it would be a mess.

[PlatinumGuy]

Yup, you were right.

[AsherO]

Yup, you were right.

Now a closed airport is the status quo.

[ExGingi]

Now a closed airport is the status quo.

At least now keeping it closed on Shabbos would be called maintaining the status quo.

[PlatinumGuy]

Now a closed airport is the status quo.

I think that’s a little bit of a stretch, if you hold your breath for 30 seconds, the status quo doesn’t become held breath... the government is literally talking about paying for private jets for citizens with essentials needs (obviously will never happen)


https://twitter.com/kann_news/status/1353774484898127873

At least now keeping it closed on Shabbos would be called maintaining the status quo.

And every night someone stops eating, the status quo is keeping Kosher

[ExGingi]

the government Israeli media, aka the originators of fake news before fake news was a thing, is literally talking about paying for private jets for citizens with essentials needs (obviously will never happen)


https://twitter.com/kann_news/status/1353774484898127873

FTFY

[yelped]

And every night someone stops eating, the status quo is keeping Kosher

Now that's the attitude!

[PlatinumGuy]

In 5 minutes TLV is switching to airplane mode (HT Sharon Idan)

[ExGingi]

In 5 minutes TLV is switching to no-airplane mode (HT Sharon Idan)

FTFY

[ar]

FYI

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL234

[yochai]

FYI

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL234

Looks like they extended it to allow flights till 1pm (at least)
https://www.iaa.gov.il/airports/ben-gurion/flight-board/?flightType=arrivals

[PlatinumGuy]

Looks like they extended it to allow flights till 1pm (at least)
https://www.iaa.gov.il/airports/ben-gurion/flight-board/?flightType=arrivals

I think all flights that departed anywhere in the world before midnight in Israel.

[yochai]

I think all flights that departed anywhere in the world before midnight in Israel.

Makes sense, as you can see LY from LAX and MIA departed a few hours early, but there are some takeoffs too (empty planes?)

[PlatinumGuy]

Makes sense, as you can see LY from LAX and MIA departed a few hours early, but there are some takeoffs too (empty planes?)

Interesting. I think the rules technically suspended the Israeli airlines operating licenses, prohibit foreign airlines from operating passenger flights into Israel, and prohibited people from going more than 1KM from their home, including to the airport, unless it is an essential need.

That would mean foreign planes that were already present in Israel (LX, SU, VS) weren't prohibited from carrying passengers out, provided it was for an essential need which includes going home (or alternate home), doctor appointments, etc.

LY to PVG at 18:15 is still selling seats in weird fare buckets, I guess they got a special waiver for cargo

[iambarry]

They've been closed since March

TOI reports that the Jordan border crossings remain open https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/despite-airport-closure-land-crossings-to-jordan-remain-open/ :

The open border with Jordan means Israelis abroad who wish to fly in can land in to Jordan and then travel to Israel, bypassing the closure...

[AsherO]

TOI reports that the Jordan border crossings remain open https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/despite-airport-closure-land-crossings-to-jordan-remain-open/ :

כיוונתי לדעת גדולים

[points 99]

Seeing saver award availability this Friday on United from TLV to EWR. Lots of seats available in coach and business. United has already canceled all flights this week. Might be worth grabbing a couple if you have extra miles waiting, and plans to fly to TLV in the next year. When a flight is canceled, they are accomodating with switching the date, even to dates that do not have saver availibility. A friend got his switched to the week before yom tov! You don't have anything to lose, you definitely can request a full refund if they won't get you the flight you want. If you're thinking to go for Succos, doesn't hurt to grab these, and maybe you'll be able to use them for your flights, otherwise it gets refunded

[yochai]

Seeing saver award availability this Friday on United from TLV to EWR. Lots of seats available in coach and business. United has already canceled all flights this week. Might be worth grabbing a couple if you have extra miles waiting, and plans to fly to TLV in the next year. When a flight is canceled, they are accomodating with switching the date, even to dates that do not have saver availibility. A friend got his switched to the week before yom tov! You don't have anything to lose, you definitely can request a full refund if they won't get you the flight you want. If you're thinking to go for Succos, doesn't hurt to grab these, and maybe you'll be able to use them for your flights, otherwise it gets refunded

Officially they let you change 2 weeks each way from the original flight. I highly doubt it’ll work for Sukkos.