FAA Puts 24-Hour Ban On Israeli Flights After Rocket Hits Near Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration banned U.S. airlines Tuesday from Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv for a period of up to 24 hours.

The agency said it issued the ban in response to a rocket strike which landed about a mile from the airport on the morning Tuesday.

Airline stocks were generally higher Tuesday afternoon.

Several U.S. carriers had already shut down Israeli service ahead of the FAA action. They included US Airways Group Inc., LCC Delta Air Lines Inc. DAL and United Continental Holdings Inc. UAL.

Shortly before the FAA issued the ban at 12:15 p.m. Eastern Time, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said no ban had been issued but that "this serves to illustrate that it's individual carriers who make that determination."

The FAA said it will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and will provide U.S. airliners with updated instructions within 24 hours.

Last Thursday the FAA banned U.S. flight over eastern Ukraine until further notice.