Airlines Cancel Flights to Israel Amid Escalating Tensions with Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas

In the wake of rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, airlines have begun to cancel flights to Israel as a precautionary measure. The assassination has led to expectations of retaliation from Iran and its regional proxies, including Hezbollah and Hamas. As a result, several major airlines in the United States and Europe have taken steps to ensure the safety of their passengers and crews by suspending flights to Tel Aviv. With the summer travel season in full swing, and in particular, in light of an upswing in interest in points flights to Israel, many previously planned trips to the holy land are in limbo.

Here, we have listed some of the airlines that have canceled flights. DansDeals has a more extensive tracker that has been continuously updated as airlines announce further extensions of canceled flights.

Delta

Delta Air Lines has confirmed that it will suspend Israel’s service through at least 10/31. This move comes as part of Delta’s broader strategy to protect passengers and crew in light of the uncertain security situation. Delta has put a waiver in place, allowing affected passengers to rebook their flights on partner airlines such as Air France or El Al, providing them with alternative travel options.

United

United Airlines has taken a similar stance, stopping the sale of flights from Newark to Tel Aviv through August 31st and from Tel Aviv to Newark through September 1st. The airline is expected to cancel flights previously booked for this time period in the coming days. United has provided a statement to DansDeals emphasizing the priority of passenger and crew safety:

“Beginning with this evening’s flight from Newark Liberty to Tel Aviv, we are suspending for security reasons our daily Tel Aviv service as we evaluate our next steps. We continue to closely monitor the situation and will make decisions on resuming service with a focus on the safety of our customers and crews.” – United Airlines.

Other Airlines

While Delta and United have been among the most proactive, other major airlines from the United States and Europe are also expected to follow suit. For example, the German carrier, Lufthansa, diverted a flight to Cyprus after the crew refused to fly to Tel Aviv. The potential for increased hostilities and the threat of retaliation from Iran and its allies have made the region particularly volatile. Airlines are closely monitoring the situation, with many preparing to adjust their schedules accordingly to safeguard their operations and passengers.

A Tense Situation With Many Unknowns

It is currently not known what the response from Iran and its proxies will be after the daring and embarrassing assassination in the Iranian capital, Tehran. While a response is expected, views differ on how large and damaging it will be. Will it be more of a symbolic show of force like the attack in April, or will Iran seek to make a more lasting statement to deter Israel from any future actions? The answer to this question remains unknown, but the tension is palpable. Regardless, as the situation continues to develop, travelers are advised to stay informed about their flight statuses and make use of the rebooking options provided by the airlines.