Global Airlines Trim Tel Aviv Flights Amid Escalating Israel-Hamas Conflict
10.10.2023 posted by Admin
Major international airlines have either halted or scaled back their flights to Tel Aviv, the capital of Israel, due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas and the intensifying attacks on Gaza.
On Sunday, nearly half of the scheduled flights at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport were grounded, and by Monday evening, one-third had been canceled.
Several prominent airlines, including American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, Emirates, Finnair from Finland, KLM from the Netherlands, Lufthansa from Germany, Norwegian Air, TAP from Portugal, LOT from Poland, Ryanair, and United Airlines, have either suspended their flights to Tel Aviv or reduced their services.
Russia has prohibited nighttime flights to Israel, citing an "unstable political and military situation," and recommended that airlines closely monitor the risks during daylight hours. Regulators such as the US Federal Aviation Authority, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and Israel's aviation authority have urged caution in Israeli airspace but have not suspended flights.
Israel's civil aviation authority has advised airlines to review current security and threat information and has altered some air traffic routes. Airlines flying to Israel have been advised to anticipate delays and carry extra fuel as a precaution.
British Airways plans to continue operating flights to Israel in the coming days with adjusted departure times. Virgin Atlantic will maintain some flights but allows customers to rebook or request refunds.
easyJet from the United Kingdom suspended flights to Tel Aviv on both Sunday and Monday, while Wizz Air, a Hungarian budget carrier, canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice. Other airlines that suspended their flights included Aegean, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines.
Airlines from China, Hong Kong, and South Korea have also canceled their flights to Tel Aviv. Hong Kong's primary carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways, canceled its Tel Aviv flights scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday, citing the situation in Israel. The airline emphasized passenger and crew safety as a top priority and promised to provide updates on its website.
El Al, Israel's national carrier, continues to operate its Tel Aviv flights, but all departures are now exclusively from Terminal Three at Ben Gurion airport, following the instructions of Israeli security forces.
On Sunday, nearly half of the scheduled flights at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport were grounded, and by Monday evening, one-third had been canceled.
Several prominent airlines, including American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, Emirates, Finnair from Finland, KLM from the Netherlands, Lufthansa from Germany, Norwegian Air, TAP from Portugal, LOT from Poland, Ryanair, and United Airlines, have either suspended their flights to Tel Aviv or reduced their services.
Russia has prohibited nighttime flights to Israel, citing an "unstable political and military situation," and recommended that airlines closely monitor the risks during daylight hours. Regulators such as the US Federal Aviation Authority, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and Israel's aviation authority have urged caution in Israeli airspace but have not suspended flights.
Israel's civil aviation authority has advised airlines to review current security and threat information and has altered some air traffic routes. Airlines flying to Israel have been advised to anticipate delays and carry extra fuel as a precaution.
British Airways plans to continue operating flights to Israel in the coming days with adjusted departure times. Virgin Atlantic will maintain some flights but allows customers to rebook or request refunds.
easyJet from the United Kingdom suspended flights to Tel Aviv on both Sunday and Monday, while Wizz Air, a Hungarian budget carrier, canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice. Other airlines that suspended their flights included Aegean, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines.
Airlines from China, Hong Kong, and South Korea have also canceled their flights to Tel Aviv. Hong Kong's primary carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways, canceled its Tel Aviv flights scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday, citing the situation in Israel. The airline emphasized passenger and crew safety as a top priority and promised to provide updates on its website.
El Al, Israel's national carrier, continues to operate its Tel Aviv flights, but all departures are now exclusively from Terminal Three at Ben Gurion airport, following the instructions of Israeli security forces.