New updates on Delta, United and Lufthansa flight cancellations due to Middle East tensions

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Amid growing tensions in the Middle East, major airlines such as DeltaUnited and Lufthansa have issued new updates regarding flight cancellations. Delta Air Lines has halted operations between New York (JFK) and Tel Aviv (TLV) until at least August 9, 2024, providing travel exemptions to affected passengers. United Airlines has also canceled all flights to Israel until at least August 6, 2024. 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, which is impacting travelers around the world.

Cancellations of flights to Israel

1. Delta Air Lines:Delta 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 until August 14, 2024.
2. United Airlines:United has canceled all flights to Israel until at least August 6, 2024.
3. Lufthansa Group:This includes Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings. They have suspended operations to Tel Aviv until at least August 8, 2024.
4. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines:KLM has cancelled its flights to and from Israel until October 26, 2024.
5. Aegean Airlines Airline:The Greek airline has suspended its flights to Israel until August 6, 2024.
6. ITA Airways:The Italian airline has cancelled its flights to Israel until August 6, 2024.
7. Air India:Flights to Israel are suspended until August 8, 2024.
8. Other European low cost airlines:Vueling, Air Europa and Wizz Air Hungary have also cancelled flights to Israel, with the suspension dates extending until at least August 4, 2024.

Cancellations of flights to Lebanon

1. Lufthansa Group:Lufthansa, along with its subsidiaries Swiss International Air Lines and Eurowings, have suspended flights to Beirut until August 5, 2024.
2. Turkish Airlines:This airline has cancelled flights to Beirut due to the increased risk of conflict.
3. Middle East Airlines:Lebanon's national airline has cancelled flights due to growing tensions.

Additional notes

• Ethiopian Airlines:The airline has also suspended flights to Israel as part of a broader trend of cancellations among international carriers.
• Statements by civil aviation authorities:The Israel Civil Aviation Authority maintains that Israeli airspace remains safe and operational. It acknowledges, however, that some foreign airlines have suspended or reduced flights for domestic security reasons.
• Travel advice:The US State Department and the UK Foreign Office have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon due to the escalating conflict and the risk of an all-out regional war. This advice includes booking all available flights, even if they do not depart immediately or follow preferred routes.

Spanish airlines Iberia and Air Europa recently announced the cancellation of upcoming flights to Israel, joining a growing list of carriers suspending routes or canceling flights. The cancellations come as Israel braces for a possible major attack by Iran and Hezbollah, raising fears of an escalation in the regional conflict.

Response from Iberia Express and Air Europa

Iberia Express airlines have 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, although a flight to Madrid went ahead as scheduled on Saturday. The cancellations have left around 100,000 Israelis stranded abroad, according to aviation industry sources.

Recommendations for stranded passengers

According to reports, those stranded abroad are being asked to travel to Greece or Cyprus and take a flight back to Israel. Despite the disruptions, Israel's national airline, El Al, has seen no changes to its schedule. It was reported Saturday night that El Al is adding five flights to help repatriate Israelis stranded abroad.

Assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Foreign Ministry on Saturday published an online form to help the tens of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad due to the cancellations. On Saturday, at least 18 airlines had canceled flights to and from Israel, following threats of attacks by Hezbollah and Iran after the assassination of senior terrorist leaders.

Flight cancellations by country

The cancellations affect 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
• Flight to Dubai (UAE): Flights cancelled until August 3
• Iberia Express (Spain): Flights cancelled until August 4
• ITA (Italy): Flights cancelled until August 6
• KLM (Netherlands): Flights cancelled until October 26
• LOT (Poland): Flights cancelled until August 5
• Lufthansa Group (Germany): Flights cancelled until 9 August (including Swiss Air, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines and Eurowings)
• United Airlines (United States): 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 its flights to Tel Aviv. The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon urged its citizens to book any available tickets, even if they did not depart immediately or follow their preferred route. The embassy advised citizens choosing to remain in Lebanon to plan for shelter in case of emergency.

British and French Government Opinions

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has sent a clear message to British nationals in Lebanon, urging them to leave the country immediately, while stressing the British government's efforts to strengthen its consular presence. Air France and its Dutch low-cost subsidiary Transavia announced on Saturday that they were extending the suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until at least August 6. Flights to Tel Aviv are expected to continue as normal, however.

Israel's response

Israel's Transportation Ministry said Friday that the security situation allows for flights to and from Israel. Some foreign airlines have delayed or reduced flights to Israel for internal reasons, and passengers are advised to take into account possible delays upon their return.

Iran's impact on Turkish Airlines

Turkey's state-run news agency reported Friday that Turkish Airlines had postponed flights to Iran due to rising tensions with Israel. The flights were due to resume Saturday morning.

Statement by the Civil Aviation Authority

Shmuel Zakai, the head of the Civil Aviation Authority, said Thursday that Israeli airspace was “absolutely safe.” He said the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and its European counterpart shared that assessment. Zakai said Israel would know when to close its airspace if security concerns required it.

Historical context and current developments

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

Flight cancellations following recent attacks

The recent assassinations of Hezbollah commander 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, followed by many others.

Despite these tensions, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport continues to operate normally and Israeli airspace remains open. The Israeli Civil Aviation Authority has reiterated that the security situation allows for 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 flight and anticipate possible delays.

Airlines continue to operate

Israeli airlines, including Arkia and Israir, continue to operate as scheduled, with the exception of flights operated by leased aircraft. El Al announced an increase in flights from Larnaca and Athens, offering a uniform price to passengers whose flights were canceled by other airlines.

Current regional tensions have caused significant disruptions to air traffic to and from Israel. While Israeli carriers continue to operate, many international airlines have cancelled or suspended flights, affecting thousands of travelers. The situation remains volatile and travelers are advised to stay informed about the status of their flight and explore alternative routes if necessary.