Following overnight missile strikes by Israel on Iran, airlines worldwide began canceling flights to Israel and avoiding a significant area of Middle Eastern airspace. Delta Air Lines announced it would suspend its service to Tel Aviv until at least September, shortly after having resumed flights in May due to anticipated winter demand. United Airlines also canceled its Tel Aviv flights through at least Saturday, redirecting its flights back to New York over the Atlantic Ocean.
Additionally, United organized the return of 26 crew members in Israel with El Al, which subsequently suspended all flights in compliance with instructions from Israeli authorities to close the nation’s airspace. The airline advised customers against traveling to Ben Gurion Airport and suggested that those abroad consider alternative accommodations until security circumstances improve.
Several other airlines followed suit; Turkish Airlines and Wizz Air halted flights to Israel, while Germany’s Lufthansa suspended service not only to Tel Aviv but also to Tehran, Jordan, and Lebanon for various durations. Emirates canceled flights from Dubai to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran.
In response to the disruptions, airlines began offering travel vouchers and waiving change fees for affected passengers. The escalation of military conflicts in the region and in Ukraine has compelled airlines to consistently avoid conflict zones, resulting in longer and more costly flight routes. The situation remains fluid, with many airlines monitoring the security situation closely before making further operational decisions.
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