Amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, British Airways has announced the suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv until the end of March 2024. The decision comes as a wave of airlines have halted operations to Israel due to the volatile situation.
British Airways joins a growing list of carriers, including easyJet, Wizz Air, Virgin Atlantic, and Delta Air Lines, that have suspended their Tel Aviv routes. Low-cost airline Wizz Air has canceled all flights to and from Israel until January 15th, while Delta Airlines extended its cancellation of all routes to Israel through at least the end of March.
The Lufthansa Group, which encompasses Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and Lufthansa, has also extended the suspension of its Israel flights until November 10th, while Eurowings, another group member, has canceled all flights until November 30th.
This recent surge in flight cancellations follows a period of heightened tensions and escalating violence. Israel has been facing near-daily rocket and drone attacks from Hezbollah, prompting a significant military response. The situation worsened with a second missile attack from Iran, which involved the launch of approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, leading to the temporary closure of Israeli airspace.
In an emailed statement, a British Airways spokesperson assured customers that they would be contacted with details about their options, including full refunds. The airline aims to provide certainty for passengers during this uncertain time.
Foreign airlines have repeatedly canceled flights to and from Israel over the past year due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, heightened tensions with Hezbollah, and the Iranian missile attacks in April and October. However, the recent escalation of hostilities, particularly Hezbollah’s increased activity, has prompted a significant increase in flight suspensions, reflecting the growing concern and uncertainty surrounding the situation.