Summary TLV airport has resumed operations after a brief shutdown amid cross-border tensions. Foreign airlines continue to cancel flights to/from Israel, citing security concerns. Major carriers worldwide suspend services to Tel Aviv, raising concerns over the escalating situation in the Middle East.
Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) has resumed operations following a two-hour shutdown on early Sunday morning. The airport was closed amid a cross-border escalation with the Lebanese group Hezbollah, according to a report by The Times of Israel . Foreign airlines continue to cancel flights Incoming flights were diverted, and outbound travel was temporarily halted.
According to the report, several foreign airlines, including Air France, Transavia, Aegean Airlines, and Wizz Air, canceled all their flights to and from Israel on Sunday. In a statement to Reuters , the French flag carrier said that it canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut at least until Monday. Air France was one of the few major international airlines still operating in Israel.
"Resuming these routes will be subject to a new assessment of the security situation. Air France reiterates that the safety of its customers and crews is its absolute priority.” El Al, Israel’s national carrier, announced that it is resuming its flight schedule after making the necessary adjustments.
Flights that were temporarily diverted to alternate airports will now return to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). The Israeli airline said that flights that were rerouted to Ramon Airport (ETM) have already departed for Tel Aviv. In the statement, it added: “El Al is committed to maintaining air connectivity to and from Israel, in accordance with the directives of aviation authorities and security forces, and will provide service to all passengers wherever they may be.
” According to a report by The Jerusalem Post , the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) estimated that TLV airport would handle about 50,000 passengers, with over 300 international flights arriving and departing. Growing security fears Since late July, concerns over a possible war in the Middle East have led several international airlines to cancel their flights to Israel. With the situation in the Middle East still tense, major carriers around the world, including the big three US airlines, continue to suspend flights to Israel.
Delta Air Lines has extended its suspension of flights to Israel until September 30, 2024. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has once again severely impacted nonstop services between the United States and Israel. United Airlines had also suspended its Tel Aviv flights from Newark International Airport (EWR) indefinitely for security reasons earlier this month.
On August 16, 2024, American Airlines announced that it would suspend flights to Israel up until March 29, 2025 , with the carrier extending its absence from the country for another few months. European airlines have also been canceling flights to the country, which is currently embroiled in the war with Gaza and experiencing escalating tensions between the IDF and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Ryanair , the European low-cost giant, has also canceled its flights to Tel Aviv, Israel.
It updated its passengers that it would not operate flights to the country until at least September 30, 2024. For now, Ryanair plans to not fly to Israel until September 30..
