As a result of increasing tensions in the Middle East, including the assassination of a senior commander of the Lebanese Hezbollah group in Beirut on Tuesday, several airlines, including British Airways, Delta and Lufthansa have announced the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv.
Hostility began to surge at the weekend after an attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, killing 12 children and teenagers, has contributed to speculation that Israel will issue a retaliation attack on Lebanon. It was expected that Israel would strike back after a post on Sunday on X from Yoav Gallant, Israel’s Defence Minister, “We will ensure Hezbollah, the proxy of Iran, pays a price”.
The week began with several airlines terminating flights to Beirut on Monday including Air France, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Air and Aegean Airlines. The same day, Israel fired drone and jet attacks in the south of Lebanon and close to Bekaa Valley. Austrian Airlines then terminated flights to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport with immediate effect along with Lufthansa Group announcing to halt aircraft until at least 8 August.
Following the assassination of Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander, United Airlines then shared on Wednesday night their suspension would begin with the evening flight from Newark Liberty to Tel Aviv. “We continue to closely monitor the situation and will make decisions on resuming service with a focus on the safety of our customers and crews,” said an airline spokesperson.
Delta issued a statement saying, “Delta flights between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv will be paused through Friday, Aug. 2, due to ongoing conflict in the region. Sales of flights for DL234 on Jul. 31 and Aug. 1, and DL235 on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. are suspended.” The airline also announced that, until 14 August, passengers with flights booked to or from Israel can change their flights to a different date or time without any additional cost. Customers affected by the updated schedules are advised to consult notifications in the Fly Delta app for next steps. All flights departing from the US from US airlines are guaranteed cash refunds even if a nonrefundable ticket was purchased.
United, Delta Airlines, and British Airways cancel all flights to Israel, citing fear of wider conflict.
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) July 31, 2024
Major American and British airlines have told passengers that flights to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) are canceled, amid spiraling tensions with Hamas, Hezbollah… pic.twitter.com/PvD6UUddoP
Lastly, British Airways has said they’re uncertain as to how long cancellations will continue for. Some carriers including American Airlines haven’t resumed flights at all since the Israel-Hamas war initially broke out last year.
As a result of the growing fear of a full-blown war emerging as a result of recent continued attacks between Israel and Hezbollah, national governments including the US and UK are advising against all travel to Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.
