Ben Gurion was still expecting 206 flights Wednesday despite cancellations from U.S. and some European airlines, Israel's Transport Ministry said. The European Aviation Safety Agency late Tuesday said it "strongly recommends" that airlines refrain from operating flights to and from Tel Aviv. BERLIN (AP) — Air France and Germany's two largest airlines on Wednesday canceled more flights to Tel Aviv because of safety concerns amid the fighting between Israel and Hamas. A spokesman stressed that British Airways wouldn't fly to Israel if it thought it was unsafe, adding that "each airline draws its own conclusion" on safety. Air Berlin said it is continuing to evaluate the situation to determine whether further cancelations are necessary.
– Travelers stuck in limbo because of flights grounded at the Tel Aviv airport just got some bad news: The FAA is extending its ban on flights to the Ben Gurion International Airport for at least another 24 hours, to 12:15pm Eastern tomorrow, reports CNN. European airlines are following suit, with Air France, Lufthansa, and Air Berlin suspending flights through tomorrow at least, reports the AP. Authorities are worried about rocket strikes, either deliberate or inadvertent, taking place near the airport. Meanwhile, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg flew into Tel Aviv last night on Israeli airline El Al to make a point, reports CBS New York. “I’m just trying to show that it’s safe, and a great place to visit, and Israel has a right to defend its people, and they’re doing exactly what they should be doing," he said upon arrival. (Earlier, John Kerry flew in to Israel to try to give peace talks a jolt, even as fighting continues.)