Travel

With the skies largely closed, one of the first sectors to be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic is fighting to keep its head above water.

According to an Israel Airports Authority pilot program, departing passengers will have to arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport four hours early, in a mask and without any escort, get checked for a fever, and disinfect their hands at several stations. 

Small hoteliers in Israel report uptick in reservations as government allows them to reopen and travel abroad is still off the table. Eilat Mayor: City shutdown has allowed major upgrade of beaches. World travel, which hit an all-time record in 2019, still suffering.

Israeli airline faces financial dire straits with ongoing coronavirus crisis. This could spell an end to the company being a national carrier, says company's CEO.

“El Al has a huge responsibility in maintaining air routes to and from Israel during emergencies and will therefore continue to operate flights to the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa, according to demand and need,” says El Al CEO Gonen Usishkin.

Arkia cancels all international flights indefinitely, Israir suspends international operations through March. El Al to continue flying to the US, Europe, and Africa due to a feeling of "national responsibility."

The massive plummet in demand for airline tickets, as well as Israel's strict travel advisories, has seen multiple international airlines suspend their flights to and from Israel.

Austrian Air, Lufthansa, Swiss Air, Iberia, Alitalia, and Air France suspend all flights to and from Israel until the end of the month. Health Ministry considering adding Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands as well as the US states of Washington, New York, and California to the list of places requiring home quarantine.

Israelis flying home from Germany, France, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland will have to remain at home for 14 days, Health Ministry rules.

Although it's been nearly 20 years with no new hotels built in the area, the region enjoys the highest annual average occupancy of hotels in Israel. It's also one of the nation’s geographical gems.