New updates on flight cancellations from Delta, United and Louis Virginia | kbnmart

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Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, major airlines including Delta, United and Lufthansa have issued new updates on flight cancellations. Delta Air Lines has suspended operations between New York (JFK) and Tel Aviv (TLV) until at least August 9, 2024, and has offered travel waivers to affected passengers. United Airlines has canceled all flights to Israel until at least August 6, 2024. The Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until at least August 8, 2024. These cancellations reflect ongoing security concerns and the potential for regional conflict involving Israel, Iran and Hezbollah, impacting travelers around the world.

Cancellation of flights to Israel

1. Delta Air LinesDelta has suspended flights between New York (JFK) and Tel Aviv (TLV) until at least August 9, 2024. It has also issued travel waivers for bookings to or from Tel Aviv through August 14, 2024.
2. United AirlinesUnited has canceled all flights to Israel through at least August 6, 2024.
3. Lufthansa GroupThis includes Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings. These airlines have suspended flights to Tel Aviv until at least August 8, 2024.
4. KLM Royal Dutch AirlinesKLM Airlines has cancelled flights to and from Israel until October 26, 2024.
5. Aegean AirlinesThe Greek airline has suspended flights to Israel until August 6, 2024.
6. Italian AirlinesThe Italian airline has cancelled its flights to Israel until August 6, 2024.
7. Air IndiaFlights to Israel are suspended until August 8, 2024.
8. Other European Low Cost AirlinesAirlines Vueling, Air Europa and Wizz Air Hungary have also cancelled flights to Israel, with the suspension dates extended until at least August 4, 2024.

Cancellation of flights to Lebanon

1. Lufthansa GroupLufthansa, along with its subsidiaries, Swiss International Air Lines and Eurowings, have announced the suspension of flights to Beirut until August 5, 2024.
2. Turkish AirlinesThis airline has cancelled flights to Beirut due to the increased risk of conflict.
3. Middle East AirlinesLebanon’s national airline has cancelled flights amid rising tensions.

Additional notes

• Ethiopian AirlinesThe company has also suspended flights to Israel as part of a broader trend of cancellations among international airlines.
• Civil Aviation Authority StatementsThe Israel Civil Aviation Authority confirms that Israeli airspace remains safe and operational. However, it acknowledges that some foreign airlines have suspended or reduced flights for internal safety reasons.
• Tips for travelersThe US State Department and the UK Foreign Office have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon due to the escalating conflict and the potential for a full-scale regional war. This warning includes booking any available flights, even if they do not depart immediately or follow preferred routes.

Spanish airlines Iberia and Air Europa recently announced the cancellation of their flights to Israel, joining a growing list of airlines that have suspended or cancelled flights. The cancellations come as Israel braces for a potential large-scale attack by Iran and Hezbollah, raising fears of an escalation in the regional conflict.

Iberia Express and Air Europa React

Iberia Express has canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv through Monday. Similarly, Air Europa has canceled its daily flights to and from Israel from Sunday to Wednesday, though the outbound flight to Madrid continued as planned on Saturday. The cancellations have left some 100,000 Israelis stranded abroad, industry sources said.

Recommendations for stranded travelers

Individuals stranded abroad are reportedly advised to fly to Greece or Cyprus and return to Israel from there. Despite the disruptions, Israel’s national carrier, El Al, has not seen any changes to its flight schedule. Reports emerged Saturday evening that El Al had added five flights to help bring Israelis stranded abroad home.

Foreign Ministry Aid

Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday published an online form to help tens of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad due to flight cancellations. As of Saturday, at least 18 airlines had canceled flights to and from Israel, following threats from Hezbollah and Iran to attack Israel after the killing of top terror leaders.

Airline Cancellations by Country

Cancellations include the following airlines:

• Aegean (Greece): Flights cancelled until August 6
• Air Europa (Spain): Flights cancelled from August 4 to 7
• Air India (India): Flights cancelled until August 8
• Delta: Flights cancelled until August 3
• Flydubai (United Arab Emirates): Flights cancelled until August 3
• Iberia Express (Spain): Flights cancelled until August 4
• Italy (ITA): Flights cancelled until August 6
• KLM (Netherlands): Flights cancelled until October 26
• Lotte (Poland): Flights cancelled until August 5
• Lufthansa Group (Germany): Flights cancelled until August 9 (including Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Eurowings)
• United Airlines (USA): Flights cancelled until August 9
• Vueling (Spain): Flights cancelled until August 4
• Wizz Air (Hungary): Flights cancelled until August 4

Later Saturday, Ethiopian Airlines also canceled flights to Tel Aviv. The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon urged its citizens to book any available tickets, even if they do not depart immediately or do not follow their preferred route. The embassy advised citizens who choose to remain in Lebanon to arrange for emergency shelter.

British and French government advice

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has issued a clear message to British nationals in Lebanon, urging them to leave immediately and stressing the British government’s efforts to strengthen its consular presence. Air France and its Dutch subsidiary Transavia announced on Saturday that they would extend their suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until at least August 6. However, flights to Tel Aviv were reportedly continuing as normal.

Israeli response

The Israeli Transportation Ministry announced on Friday that the security situation allows flights to and from Israel. Some foreign airlines have delayed or reduced their flights to Israel for internal reasons, and passengers are advised to consider possible delays in their return.

Iran’s Impact on Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines has postponed flights to Iran due to escalating tensions with Israel, the state-run news agency reported on Friday. The flights were scheduled to resume on Saturday morning.

Civil Aviation Authority Statement

Israel’s airspace is “completely safe,” the head of the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority, Shmuel Zakai, said Thursday. He said the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and its European counterparts share that assessment. Zakai said Israel would know when to close its airspace if security concerns warranted such action.

Historical context and current developments

The conflict began on October 7 with an attack by thousands of Hamas-led terrorists on southern Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. This led to many non-Israeli airlines suspending flights to and from Israel. Most resumed operations several months later, although Israeli airspace was briefly closed in April when Iran launched a direct attack on Israel.

Flights cancelled after recent attacks

The recent killings of Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh have heightened regional tensions, prompting international airlines to respond by canceling or suspending flights to Israel. United Airlines was the first to cancel its flights to Israel indefinitely, and many others have since followed.

Despite these tensions, Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv continues to operate normally, and Israeli airspace remains open. The Israeli Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that the security situation allows flights to and from Israel. However, some foreign airlines have suspended or reduced flights for their own reasons, and travelers are advised to stay informed about the status of their flights and anticipate possible delays.

Airlines are still operating.

Israeli airlines, including Arkia and Israir, continue to operate as usual, except for charter flights. El Al has announced increased flights from Larnaca and Athens, and offered a flat rate for passengers whose flights were cancelled by other airlines.

Ongoing regional tensions have caused significant disruptions to air travel to and from Israel. While Israeli airlines continue to operate, several international airlines have cancelled or suspended flights, affecting thousands of passengers. The situation remains fluid, and travelers are advised to stay updated on the status of their flights and explore alternative routes if necessary.