Airlines Halt Flights to Israel
Multiple airlines have canceled flights in and out of Tel Aviv as intense fighting continues between Israeli forces and Hamas, a Palestinian militant group. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Norwegian are just a few airlines that have canceled due to the conflict.
American Airlines has canceled all flights to and from Tel Aviv through Friday. The union representing their pilots issued a warning about the dangers to the airspace and advised crews to turn down any assignment into the country. The airline may make more changes as needed per a recently issued statement. United Airlines said its flights will remain suspended “until conditions allow them to resume.”
Delta has canceled all flights to and from Tel Aviv for the rest of October but said it would work with the US Government if needed for repatriation flights of US citizens. Similarly, Korean Air canceled its flight on Monday between Incheon and Tel Aviv but would operate a return flight to bring tourists and South Korean nationals who reside in Israel home.
According to USA Today, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines have also issued travel waivers allowing passengers scheduled to fly to and from Israel to rebook. United’s waiver also covers flights to and from Amman, Jordan.
If your flight was canceled by a U.S. airline, you are entitled to a full refund even if you bought a nonrefundable ticket, according to Department of Transportation regulations. The U.S. State Department has also issued travel advisories for the region, urging increased caution for American citizens headed to Israel and the West Bank, and of course, suggesting not to travel to Gaza.
On the international front, European and Asian airlines have suspended service to Tel Aviv, including Air France, U.K. discount carrier easyJet, and budget airline Wizz Air.
Virgin Atlantic canceled its service between London’s Heathrow Airport to Tel Aviv today and yesterday as well as the return flight from Tel Aviv to London on Wednesday. British Airways said it’s planning to continue operating flights to Israel “over the coming days and adjust departure times.”
Germany’s Lufthansa Group – which includes Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss, and Brussels Airlines – has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until Saturday, October 14. The decision was made “due to the still unclear developing security situation in Israel and after an intensive analysis of the situation.”
Norwegian Air (for now) has canceled all flights from Copenhagen and Stockholm to Tel Aviv on Sunday, October 15. Air India has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until Saturday, October 14. Cathay Pacific, a Hong Kong carrier, has also canceled its Tuesday flight to and from Tel Aviv stating it would monitor the situation closely.
Vacationer Travel Tip: If you have any upcoming travel to Israel or the nearby region, you should contact the travel advisor who booked your trip or contact the airline directly for assistance and to stay updated based on the fluidity of the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
