Israel’s main international gateway remains shuttered for a third day, leaving tens of thousands of travelers stranded abroad as the country grapples with the fallout from its military escalation with Iran.

Ben Gurion Airport’s closure, which began Thursday night following Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets, has created an unprecedented travel crisis. The aviation industry estimates that around 100,000 Israelis have had their flights canceled since the operation began, with that number growing by over 20,000 each day.

“Israel’s airspace remains closed for landings and takeoffs at Ben Gurion Airport,” the Israel Airport Authority confirmed Sunday. The authority stressed that any announcement of reopening “will give six hours’ advance notice.”

As a precautionary measure, Israel’s three major carriers—El Al, Arkia, and Israir—have relocated portions of their fleets to Cyprus to protect the aircraft from potential retaliatory strikes. The move has effectively severed Israel’s primary air connection to the world.

Given the situation, EL AL and Sundor are allowing customers whose bookings were made up to and including June 13, and who hold tickets for departures up to and including June 28, 2025, to cancel their flight and convert their tickets into a credit voucher for future use.

Customers whose flights were canceled due to the security situation can receive a refund.

This policy will be updated as needed.

Additionally, EL AL and Sundor flights scheduled to depart up to and including June 30, 2025, are currently closed for new bookings in the booking systems. This is until the security situation becomes clearer and with the aim of providing solutions for Israelis whose flights were canceled.

EL AL and Sundor have advised customers whose flights are scheduled for Saturday evening, June 14, 2025, or Sunday, June 15, 2025, not to come to the airport and to await updates regarding their flight status. For customers currently abroad, we recommend arranging accommodation until there is a change in security directives.

Ongoing updates will be posted on the EL AL website and EL AL’s social media accounts:

Behind the scenes, officials are working on contingency plans. The Airport Authority said it “is collaborating with Israeli airlines on a systematic plan prepared by the Transportation and Road Safety Ministry and the Israel Civil Aviation Authority to bring back Israelis stranded abroad.”

However, authorities tempered expectations about a quick resolution. “All air crews and aircraft are ready for action as soon as this becomes possible,” the airport authority stated. “However, this may take a long time, depending on the security situation.”

The timeline for resumption remains entirely dependent on security assessments. “A decision on the return of flights to Israel will only be made when we know that it is safe,” officials emphasized.

For those seeking immediate alternatives, Israel’s land borders remain operational. Border crossings to Jordan and the Sinai Peninsula continue to handle both commercial and passenger traffic, offering potential escape routes for stranded travelers.

The Jordan option has become particularly viable since that country reopened its airspace after briefly closing it Thursday night. Travelers can cross at Beit She’an or near Eilat to reach airports in Amman or Aqaba, though security officials recommend the southern Aqaba route as the safer choice.

The Egypt route involves crossing at Taba into the Sinai Desert, then traveling overland to Sharm el-Sheikh airport. From there, connections to European destinations remain available.

Ship passage to Cyprus also presents an option, with various vessels offering the journey from Israeli ports like Herzliya, Tel Aviv, or Ashkelon to Larnaca. The maritime route takes between 20 and 30 hours depending on the vessel.

Yet these alternatives come with their own complications. The National Security Council has warned Israelis against spending extended time in either the Sinai Desert or Jordan, and has advised travelers to update their medical insurance coverage.