Sunday, August 4, 2024
reading time: 2 minutes
Many international airlines have cancelled or suspended flights to and from Israel, but other companies are operating normally.
Attacks in Lebanon and Iran last week that killed Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh have raised regional tensions to a new high, and international airlines are responding accordingly.
The American airline United Airlines was the first to announce the cancellation of its flights to Israel until further notice, and many other airlines followed suit.
Currently, Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv is operating normally, and Israeli airspace remains open.
The Israeli Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that “the security situation allows flights to and from Israel.
Some foreign airlines have suspended or reduced flights to Israel for their own internal reasons.
“Travelers should take into account that their return to Israel may be delayed, and they should stay in touch with their airlines and update themselves about their flights.”
Airlines that have cancelled some or all of their flights to Israel:
– Flights of Arkia and Israir, which were operating chartered aircraft, have been cancelled, but apart from that, the airlines continue to operate according to schedule.
United Airlines – Flights cancelled until further notice.
Lufthansa Group – All passenger and cargo flights to Tel Aviv will be suspended until August 8 (inclusive). The group includes Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings.
Italian airline ITA has officially announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Israel until August 6.
Air India – Flights cancelled up to and including August 8.
Aegean – Flights cancelled until August 5, inclusive.
Flights cancelled until August 5, inclusive.
Wizz Air – Flights cancelled until August 4, inclusive.
Iberia Express – Flights cancelled until August 4, inclusive.
Vueling – Flights cancelled until August 4, inclusive.
Air Europa – Flights cancelled until August 4, inclusive.
Airlines flying to Israel as usual
At present, Israeli airlines continue to operate normally, except for flights operated on chartered aircraft.
El Al announced last night that it will boost its flight schedule from Larnaca and Athens.
The new flights will be offered at a flat rate ($228 from Larnaca, $283 from Athens) for passengers whose flights have been cancelled by another airline and who wish to travel one way to Israel.
In addition, El Al’s subsidiary Sundur, which operates some of its flights via Class Jet, will make a short stop in Larnaca on its way to Israel to change crew, in order to maintain its flight schedule.
El Al said this would not apply to all Sun d’Or flights.
The airline said the affected flights will be displayed on its website, and passengers will be notified close to the flight time.
