The U.S.' national aviation authority renewed a flight ban on U.S. carriers Wednesday flying to or from Israel's Ben Gurion International airport for an additional 24 hours.
The initial decision to restrict flights was made by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday following a rocket attack that morning roughly one mile from Ben Gurion airport.
The ban will stay in place for an additional 24 hours as the association monitors the situation.
"The agency is working closely with the Israeli government to review the significant new information they have provided and determine whether potential risks to U.S. civil aviation are mitigated so the agency can resolve concerns as quickly as possible," it said in a statement.
The renewal, like the earlier decision, affects only U.S. carriers, and does not have any bearing on foreign airlines flying to or from the airport.
Israel's transportation minister Yisrael Katz announced Wednesday that Ovda airport, located just north of the southern Israeli city of Eilat, would be opened in response to the initial ban on Ben Gurion.
It was not immediately clear how the opening of Ovda will affect the FAA's decision.
www.aa.com.tr/en - Washington DC
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