Monday, August 5, 2024 Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, major airlines such as Delta , United, and Lufthansa have issued new updates regarding flight cancellations. Delta Air Lines has halted operations between New York (JFK) and Tel Aviv (TLV) until at least August 9, 2024, offering travel waivers for affected passengers. United Airlines has similarly canceled all flights to Israel until at least August 6, 2024.
The Lufthansa Group, encompassing Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until at least August 8, 2024. These cancellations reflect the ongoing safety concerns and the potential for regional conflict involving Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah, impacting travelers worldwide. Spanish airlines Iberia and Air Europa recently announced the cancellation of their upcoming flights to Israel, joining a growing list of carriers suspending routes or cancelling flights.
The cancellations come as Israel braces for a potential large-scale attack by Iran and Hezbollah, raising fears of an escalating regional conflict. Iberia Express has cancelled its flights to and from Tel Aviv until Monday. Similarly, Air Europa has cancelled its daily flights to and from Israel from Sunday to Wednesday, although an outbound flight to Madrid proceeded as planned on Saturday.
These cancellations have left approximately 100,000 Israelis stranded abroad, as reported by sources in the aviation industry. According to reports, individuals stuck overseas are being advised to travel to Greece or Cyprus and catch a flight from there back to Israel. Despite the disruptions, Israel’s national carrier, El Al, has not seen any changes to its schedule.
It was reported on Saturday night that El Al is adding five flights to help bring home Israelis stranded abroad. The Foreign Ministry published an online form on Saturday to assist the tens of thousands of Israelis stuck abroad due to the cancellations. As of Saturday, at least 18 airlines had cancelled flights to and from Israel, following threats from Hezbollah and Iran to attack after the killings of top terror leaders.
The cancellations include the following airlines: Later on Saturday, Ethiopian Airlines also cancelled its Tel Aviv flights. The United States embassy in Lebanon urged its citizens to book any available ticket, even if it did not depart immediately or follow their first-choice route. The embassy advised citizens choosing to stay in Lebanon to arrange shelter in case of an emergency.
British Foreign Minister David Lammy issued a clear message to British nationals in Lebanon, urging them to leave immediately while emphasizing the British government’s efforts to strengthen its consular presence. Air France and its low-cost Dutch affiliate, Transavia, announced on Saturday that they were further extending their suspensions of flights between Paris and Beirut until at least August 6. However, flights to Tel Aviv were reported to continue as usual.
Israel’s Transportation Ministry stated on Friday that the security situation permits flights to and from Israel. Some foreign airlines have delayed or downsized their flights to Israel for internal reasons, and passengers are advised to account for possible delays in their return. On Friday, Turkey’s state-owned news agency reported that Turkish Airlines was postponing its flights to Iran due to the rising tensions with Israel.
These flights were scheduled to resume on Saturday morning. Shmuel Zakai, the chief of the Civil Aviation Authority, reassured on Thursday that Israel’s airspace is “absolutely safe.” He stated that both the United States Federal Aviation Administration and its European counterpart share this assessment.
Zakai affirmed that Israel would know when to close its airspace if safety concerns necessitated such action. The conflict began on October 7 with an attack by thousands of Hamas-led terrorists on southern Israel, resulting in nearly 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. This led to many non-Israeli airlines suspending flights to and from Israel.
Most resumed operations after several months, though Israeli airspace was briefly closed in April when Iran launched a direct strike on Israel. The recent killings of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh have heightened regional tensions, prompting international airlines to respond by cancelling or suspending flights to Israel. United Airlines was the first to cancel flights to Israel indefinitely, with many others following suit.
Despite these tensions, Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv continues to operate normally, and Israel’s airspace remains open. The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel reiterated that the security situation allows for flights to and from Israel. However, some foreign airlines have suspended or reduced flights for their own reasons, and travelers are advised to stay informed about their flight status and anticipate possible delays.
Israeli airlines, including Arkia and Israir, continue to operate as scheduled, except for flights operated on leased aircraft. El Al announced an increase in flights from Larnaca and Athens, offering a uniform price to passengers whose flights were cancelled by other airlines. The ongoing regional tensions have led to significant disruptions in air travel to and from Israel.
While Israeli carriers continue to operate, many international airlines have cancelled or suspended their flights, leaving thousands of travelers affected. The situation remains fluid, and travelers are advised to stay updated on their flight status and explore alternative routes if necessary..
