As tensions in the Middle East escalate, most foreign airlines have canceled flights to Israel.
On Tuesday (October 1), Iran launched 181 ballistic missiles towards Israel, leading neighboring countries to close their airspace. Flight crews of airlines sought alternative routes to avoid conflict zones.
Data from FlightRadar24 showed that on Tuesday, about 80 flights were rerouted to Cairo and European cities. These flights were operated by airlines such as Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Qatar Airways, with destinations including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, major hubs in the Middle East.
Flight disruptions have persisted for nearly a year since the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, caused by attacks led by Hamas. Israel has recently intensified its strikes against the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah, further heating up the Middle East situation.
On Saturday (September 28), the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a warning, suggesting that all flights avoid Lebanese and Israeli airspace in the next month due to escalated airstrikes and worsening security situation.
In the past few days, several European airlines have canceled flights to Israel. The Lufthansa Group, consisting of Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and Eurowings, announced the extension of flight suspensions until October 31. ITA, the Italian airline, will halt operations until October 29; British Airways until October 7; Iberia until October 4; and Air France until October 8.
Low-cost airline Transavia canceled round-trip flights to Tel Aviv until the end of March 2025. Virgin Atlantic canceled the planned resumption of flights from London to Tel Aviv on September 25, and announced service resumption by March 30, 2025.
Irish budget airline Ryanair canceled flights to Israel until the end of October; while easyJet suspended routes until March 2025. Other airlines that have suspended flights to Israel include Air India, Turkish Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, and American Airlines.
According to The Times of Israel, Israel’s Minister of Transportation Miri Regev and Civil Aviation Authority recently held talks with officials from the European Aviation Safety Agency in an attempt to persuade European authorities to lift the warnings about Israeli airspace.
The successive suspension of services to Israel by foreign airlines has left tens of thousands of Israelis stranded overseas, forcing domestic travelers to interrupt their business or holiday trips.
However, Israel maintains that its airspace is secure, and Israeli airlines continue to operate as usual. El Al Israel Airlines announced that all flights in the coming days are fully booked. To assist Israelis in returning home, the domestic airline has increased flights departing from Athens and Larnaca.