Ben-Gurion Temporarily Suspends Takeoffs for Runway Maintenance

Takeoffs from Ben-Gurion Airport were temporarily suspended Friday evening while crews carried out routine runway maintenance. The Israel Airports Authority said the closure was part of a planned monthly maintenance cycle and was not caused by the regional security situation. The airport continued operating normally, including landings, and the authority said departures were expected to resume at 11 p.m. The clarification followed heightened public attention to aviation disruptions as the U.S. Embassy urged travelers to monitor flight status amid regional tensions. Travelers were advised to verify schedules directly with airlines and airport boards.