A Growing List of Airlines Halt Israel Flights

DALLAS – Airlines are canceling services to Israel due to fears of instability following Israel’s killing of political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran (THR) just hours after an Israeli strike on the Lebanese capital Beirut (BEY), killing a senior Hezbollah leader. 

Airlines are concerned about the possibility of retaliation. Thus, several carriers have decided to err on the side of caution and have canceled scheduled services in Israel. Lufthansa (LH) and Fly Dubai (FZ) announced the suspension of their services to Israel on Thursday, 1 August. 

These cancelations follow flight suspensions announced by United Airlines (UA), Delta Air Lines (DL), and British Airways (BA) on 31 July. Air India (AI), the only foreign carrier flying 

between Israel and East Asia, has also canceled its flights. UA said its route between Newark Airport (EWR) and Tel Aviv (TLV) would remain suspended until further notice. 

Instability Causes Flight Cancellations 

This is not the first time that several airlines have stopped flying to Israel. Last year, most carriers, with the exception of Israel’s own airlines, suspended flights to the country owing to safety risks when operating scheduled flights to the region.

Israel Airports Authority states, "The security situation allows flights from and to Israel. Some foreign carriers are suspending and reducing their flights to Israel for internal reasons. Travelers should consider that their return to Israel may be delayed, be in contact with the carrier, and stay updated about the flights."

Due to the cancellations, many Israelis are stranded abroad and must search for a way to return home. Israeli carriers have agreed to add flights from Athens (ATH) so that Israelis wishing to return to Israel can fly home from Greece. 

Israel National News reports that low-cost carriers (LCC) Wizz Air (W6) and Ryanair (FR) are still operating flights to Israel as scheduled, but the airlines are monitoring the situation carefully.

Amidst escalating regional tensions, Air France (AF) announced on Saturday that it and its operator Transavia (HV) were prolonging its flight restrictions between Paris and Beirut until at least August 6.