Saturday, August 17, 2024 Madrid, Spain — The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran late last month has sparked widespread disruptions in travel to and from Israel, as tensions escalate and fears of an Iranian retaliatory strike grow. Many international airlines have canceled flights or suspended routes altogether, leaving travelers stranded and scrambling for alternatives. Adi Livne, an Israeli tourist vacationing in Spain, found herself caught in the chaos when her return flight to Israel on a European budget airline was abruptly canceled.
With options dwindling, Livne quickly realized that only Israeli carriers were still operating. However, she was shocked to discover that El Al, Israel’s national airline, was charging $1,000 for a one-way ticket from Madrid to Tel Aviv—a price she deemed too high. After an exhaustive search for more affordable options, Livne reluctantly purchased a similarly expensive ticket with Israir, another Israeli carrier.
Her flight is scheduled to depart from Barcelona on Sunday. The assassination and its aftermath have created a challenging environment for those seeking to travel to Israel. United Airlines, a major connector between Israel and the United States, has indefinitely suspended its service to Israel.
American Airlines has also canceled flights and announced that it will not resume service until at least April 2025. El Al, which has continued flying when many other airlines have grounded their planes, has come unde.