TEL AVIV, Israel (VINnews) — An El Al Israel Airlines flight from Ben Gurion Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport turned back Monday after spending about four hours in the air when the New Jersey airport closed amid a powerful snowstorm in the northeastern United States.

The aircraft l, El Al Flight 1027 departed as scheduled and was flying over central Europe, near Corsica, when the crew was informed that Newark had suspended landings because of heavy snowfall, strong winds and poor visibility. After considering alternatives, including diverting to another North American airport, the airline decided to return to Israel.

The plane landed safely at Ben Gurion Airport later Monday night.

Flight boards in Newark showed widespread cancellations and delays as the storm disrupted travel across the region. An El Al official said the flight will be rescheduled once landing clearance is granted at Newark or a nearby airport.