American Airlines said Thursday it will resume flights to Israel, after federal authorities lifted a ban that had been in place for 48 hours. Earlier Thursday, CEO Doug Park told CNBC that the airline wouldn't resume those flights "unless we're absolutely, positively certain it's safe." Later in the day, the airline said it would fly Thursday night's Philadelphia-to-Tel Aviv flight as scheduled after an extensive review. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust our plans if necessary," it said. Other domestic carriers also went ahead. A United flight embarking from Newark International Airport Thursday afternoon was expected to be the first U.S.-based flight to land in Israel since the ban was enacted. Delta is also resuming service. The Federal Aviation Administration had enacted the ban Tuesday after a rocket fell about a mile from Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. Several European carriers suspended flights as well.
IN-DEPTH
- FAA Lifts Ban on U.S. Airline Flights to Israel
- FAA Extends Israel Flight Ban
- Israel Flight Ban Leaves Travelers Scrambling
SOCIAL
- Ben Popken and NBC News staff
