In view of the major attack on Israel by the Palestinian organization Hamas, the Foreign Office is currently “strongly” advising against traveling to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
The Federal Foreign Ministry based its assessment on “serious military conflicts in the area around the Gaza Strip with rocket fire as far away as Tel Aviv and attacks on the local population.”
A press release “warns” against traveling to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Lufthansa is suspending flights until Saturday
Lufthansa is suspending all flights to Israel up to and including Saturday. The airline asks all affected passengers to contact their airline. We are in close contact with the authorities and are continuing to closely monitor the security situation in Israel. “We regret having to make this decision,” emphasizes the press office.
Upon request, Turkish Airlines confirmed that the connection to Tel Aviv will be suspended until October 16th. Aegean Airlines, Easy Jet, Pegasus and LOT Air, which fly direct and intermediate flights to Israel from Germany, also reacted similarly.
Only the Israeli airline El Al maintains connections to Israel. The company exclusively uses Terminal 3 at Tel Aviv Airport. According to current status, flights take place from Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna and Zurich.
Tour operators suspend offers
Among the first organizers to suspend their Israel offer are Studiosus and Gebeco. Middle East travel expert Studiosus cancels all trips to Israel until November 15th. Gebeco reacted similarly. The travel provider is suspending its Israel offer until the end of the year, as FOCUS learned online from company circles. All affected holidaymakers have already been informed.
In view of the current situation, the Bavarian Pilgrim Office has also canceled all planned trips to the Holy Land until November 10th. The groups that were supposed to fly to Israel last weekend also did not leave, according to a spokesman. The Pilgrim Office is one of the oldest providers of Christian trips to the Holy Land from Germany.
Cruises are changing routes
Mein Schiff 5 (TUI Cruises) had originally planned to dock in Haifa on October 11th and in Ashdod on October 12th, but these stopovers have been canceled, according to information from “Cruise news“has been cancelled. Similar reaction from Odyssey of the Seas. Instead of Haifa, the Royal Caribbean ship is now calling at the ports of Bodrum and Limassol.
MSC Cruises will not sail to the port of Haifa on October 12th or October 19th. Limassol and Rhodes were chosen as replacement locations.
This is what travelers need to know about unrest and war
If an airline cancels a flight, consumers have the right to do so Air Passenger Rights Regulation the choice between reimbursement of the ticket costs within seven days or alternative transport.
If travelers only find out about the cancellation of the connection at the airport, they are also entitled to free meals, refreshments and two telephone calls.
Passengers are not entitled to financial compensation of 250 to 600 euros, as the EU regulation provides for flight cancellations, if the reason for this is due to exceptional circumstances, says the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center. These include, for example, unrest and war.