[DoodleDawg]

Nobody wants to lose a 747 full of passengers, but still I think it’s a bit of an overreaction on the part of the airlines and their governments. I wonder if they would still be doing it if not for the Russians shooting down MH17?

[Star Traveler]

I think the situation with MH17 definitely set up a different mindset with the airlines. That was most definitely a factor.

[Tzfat]

In other news:

US Airways plans to resume Tel Aviv flight on Thursday (if FAA says OK)

British Airways Defies Advisory, Keeps Tel Aviv Service

“Our flights are operating normally. Safety is our top priority. We would not operate flights unless it was safe to do so. We are monitoring the situation closely,” said British Airways.

Israel criticises airlines as US flight ban extended

Giora Romm, director-general of the Israeli civil aviation authority, told the Financial Times he was “very disappointed” with the US aviation regulator’s original decision on Tuesday. Speaking before the FAA’s extension, he said it was safe to fly in and out of Ben Gurion, highlighting how Israel had military defences – its Iron Dome system – to protect the country from rocket attacks.

Mr Romm said about 25 airlines had stopped flying to Ben Gurion, adding this would have a “very bad” impact on the Israeli economy. “Israel is connected to the world via aviation, and when there is a curfew on aviation the kind of which we have experienced in the last 24 hours it has a very negative impact on the economy,” he said.

This is the first time Israel has suffered significant reductions in flights to Tel Aviv since the 1991 Gulf war.