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When civilian flight paths collide with hostile territory
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This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

Jul 23, 2014
Listen 21:09
When civilian flight paths collide with hostile territory
American and European flights to Tel Aviv remain suspended after a rocket hit near Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport yesterday.
NEW YORK - JULY 22:  Two people stand a the El Al Airlines ticket desk at Terminal 4 in John F. Kennedy Airport July 22, 2014 in New York City. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has halted all flights from the U.S. to Tel Aviv, Israel following a rocket attack near Ben Gurion International Airport.  (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
Two people stand a the El Al Airlines ticket desk at Terminal 4 in John F. Kennedy Airport July 22, 2014 in New York City. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has halted all flights from the U.S. to Tel Aviv, Israel following a rocket attack near Ben Gurion International Airport.
(
Eric Thayer/Getty Images
)

American and European flights to Tel Aviv remain suspended after a rocket hit near Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport yesterday.

American and European flights to Tel Aviv remain suspended after a rocket struck near Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport yesterday. Commercial airliners took the lead when Delta first rerouted a jet in mid flight.

The Federal Aviation Authority followed with a 24-hour ban on flights to Israel, which could be extended. The aviation community is trying to avoid a repeat of last week's tragedy that saw a Malaysia Airlines civilian jet downed by a missile over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly has asked Secretary John Kerry for help in reversing the FAA flight ban. Should commercial airliners take the risk?

What about consumers — what will assure people it's safe to fly into the Middle East conflict? Going forward, will consumers want to know more about flight paths? Should they? Are travelers willing to fly with Malaysia Airlines after double disasters? 

Guests:

John McGraw, Former FAA Flight Standards Services Deputy Director; founder and principal of John McGraw Aerospace Consulting based in Virginia

Patrick Smith, commercial airline pilot; Author "Cockpit Confidential and columnist found at AskThePilot.com

Credits
Host, AirTalk
Host, All Things Considered, AirTalk Friday
Senior Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Associate Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Apprentice News Clerk, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek