Navigating the Airspace Shutdown: Update - with some good news

5th Mar 2026

Updated: 5 Mar. 2026

Over the past 24 hours, the situation has shifted in an unexpected — and very positive — direction.

Just after posting our original update yesterday, we received confirmation from two separate UPS client support contacts that UPS has activated an alternative air‑export solution. They did not detail the mechanics, but the official UPS notice states:

Export: As previously published, the air‑export solution is already operating, and pickups can be scheduled. Due to the situation, timelines are flexible and delivery times to various destinations may be extended.

This is very encouraging news, especially considering that until yesterday it appeared that no packages at all would leave Israel until the airspace fully reopens.

When will Israel's airspace reopen?

While no one can give an exact timeline, based on both June 2025 precedent and current Home Front Command directives, the earliest estimate remains around a week from now — approximately 22 Adar / 11 March.

Typically the reopening is gradual:

  • Step 1: 24–48 hours with zero long‑range missile launches
  • Step 2: Another 1–3 days until full opening
  • Step 3: El Al and Arkia typically resume first
  • Step 4: Courier planes (UPS, DHL, FedEx)
  • Step 5: Commercial airlines

That last step is of course what stranded would-be travelers have been waiting for, but it's also signficant for international mail, which relies very heavily on space in the cargo holds of commercial flights.

So How Is UPS Shipping Right Now?

UPS hasn’t shared operational details, but here is what we expect based on experience and logistics reality:

  • Parcels may not be loaded onto outbound aircraft the same evening as pickup (which is very common during peacetime).
  • Expect 1–2 additional business days inside Israel before parcels actually depart.
  • Aircraft space will be limited, and routing will likely be less direct.

Under normal conditions, UPS worldwide deliveries take 2-4 business days. Realistically, we now expect 3-6 business days for most destinations.

Considering the circumstances, this is extremely good news — far better than the scenario where no outbound shipments leave Israel for one to two weeks.

To make this option available to more of our customers — especially with Passover on the horizon — we lowered our UPS shipping fee temporarily.

And What About the First Class and Priority Shipping Options?

First Class and EMS/Priority are international mail, not courier. That means for the first leg of the journey they are handled by Israel Post, and rely largely on cargo space in the holds of passenger planes. With passenger flights down to a bare minimum, that means mail parcels are trickling out very slowly. During periods of critical freight restrictions, Israel Post certainly makes an effort to do what they can, but they simply do not have the logistal resources and means which couriers like UPS have at their disposal.

  • Mail sacks are getting picked up from our office three times per week, as usual
  • Scanning an export clearance may take slightly longer than usual
  • With aircraft space extremely limited parcels might be grounded at the airport for weeks

Parcels sent EMS/Priority are given...you guessed right: priority. But that still doesn't mean we can rely on them to get on a plane within a few days.

And even if air traffic is fully opened sometime soon, based on past experience, including the coronavirus and last's summer's Iran war, when the airspace does fully reopen there will naturally be a bottleneck for international mail as logistics teams work through accumulated volume.

Therefore, if your order is time sensitive, you'll definitely want to consider our UPS option, which has not been significantly slowed down. 

How We’re Preparing Your Orders

Besides the shipping issues above, our order preparation is very close to normal peacetime operations. We are continuing to:

  • Tie tzitzit
  • Sewing and embroidery work
  • Pack orders
  • Prepare shipping labels
  • Arrange pickups

Order volume & customer awareness

Interestingly, order volume this week has been quite brisk. Many customers seem to understand that delays are unavoidable during national emergencies. Others may not have realized that Israel’s airspace has been largely shut and may not have seen the notices we posted on our website.

During Operation Rising Lion last year, many customers intentionally placed orders specifically to support Israeli businesses during difficult moments — something we’ve never forgotten and deeply appreciate.

If You Cannot Wait

We completely understand that some customers need their items quickly and cannot tolerate an uncertain timeline. If that applies to you, email us at customer.care@garsan-judaica.com and we can discuss the possibility of upgrading existing order to UPS.