What the Israel-Hamas conflict means for safety of region’s flights, travellers

Canadians have been told to avoid non-essential travel to Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip due to the 'unpredictable security situation.'

As the conflict between Israel and militant group Hamas rages into a second week, Canadians are being strongly urged to avoid travelling to the region amid heightened security concerns.

Air Canada and a slew of international carriers, including the biggest U.S. airlines, British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa, suspended flights to Israel last week.

This came on the heels of a co-ordinated deadly attack by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct. 7. Israel, which has retaliated with heavy bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip over the past week, is now preparing for an expected ground invasion of the Hamas-ruled territory.

As tensions and uncertainty over the conflict mount, there is increased vigilance about flying in the region during the violence.

John Gradek, faculty lecturer and co-ordinator with McGill University’s aviation management program, said that as in any conflict, airlines would be taking heed and trying to avoid the airspace over Israel as much as possible.

“We’re seeing a high degree of caution being exercised by carriers and governments to basically avoid any semblance of any overflight or operation into Israel,” he told Global News in an interview.

Because the Israeli airspace is “fairly small,” adjusting the flight path would have “minimal impact” on the overall route, Gradek added.

Regulators in Israel, Europe and the United States have advised airlines to use “caution” when flying through Israeli airspace, Reuters reported.