Airlines extend Israel flight suspensions amid ongoing military uncertainty
With fears of an escalation with Iran and Hezbollah looming, many routes to and from the Jewish state remain on hold
International airlines continue to put off their return to routes to and from Israel amid fears of a military escalation with Hezbollah and Iran.
The Transportation Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority continue to maintain that Israel’s airspace is safe. Israeli airlines El Al, Israir and Arkia have said that they will continue to operate their flights as usual and are preparing to add more flights if necessary to help stranded Israelis get home.
Many Israelis have found themselves scrambling for alternative flights due to airlines’ suspensions of flights. The wave of cancelations began last week with major airlines Lufthansa, United and Delta, and extended over last weekend to popular low-cost airlines.
While major airlines can reschedule passengers, low-cost airlines are committed to reimbursing their customers and stand to lose more from canceling flights.
Numerous flights to and from Beirut have also been canceled amid the uncertainty over a potential escalation of hostilities.
On July 30, an Israeli airstrike on Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, the Iran-backed terror group’s deputy leader. Hours later, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an explosion in Tehran.
Iran has vowed to exact “harsh punishment” on Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied its role in the Tehran blast, though it confirmed killing Shukr.
Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah, who has also threatened to attack Israel, said Tuesday that the uncertainty of the timing of the terror group’s response was “part of the punishment.”
Amid the tensions, multiple countries have urged their citizens to stay away from, or evacuate, Iran, Lebanon and Israel. On Tuesday, Japan became the latest country to do so.
The Foreign Ministry has published an online form to assist the tens of thousands of Israelis stuck abroad with no way home due to airline cancellations.
Below is an alphabetical list of airlines’ cancellations as of August 9 (cancellations could be extended further, based on developments):
Aegean (Greece) — flights canceled through August 14
Air Baltic (Latvia) — flights canceled through August 12
Air Canada (Canada) — flights canceled through October 15
Air Europa (Spain) — flights canceled through August 9
Air India (India) — flights canceled through August 10
Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong) — flights canceled through March 27, 2025
Croatia Airlines (Croatia) — flights set to resume August 20
Delta (United States) — flights canceled through August 31
easyJet (United Kingdom) — flights canceled through March 29, 2025
Iberia Express (Spain) — flights canceled through August 12
ITA (Italy) — flights canceled through August 10
KLM (the Netherlands) — flights canceled through October 26
LOT (Poland) — flights canceled through August 12
Lufthansa Group (Germany) — flights canceled through August 13 (the group’s carriers include Swiss Air, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines and Eurowings)
Ryanair (Ireland) — flights canceled through August 23
United Airlines (United States) — flights canceled until further notice
Vueling (Spain) — flights canceled until further notice
