Major Airlines Suspend Flights to Israel After Hamas Attack

Ben Gurion Airport. Photo source: Wikimedia.

Major international airlines, including Air France and Lufthansa, are cancelling their flights to and from Israel’s international airport near Tel Aviv or slashing services following the surprise attack by Hamas which prompted Israel to declare war and order a siege on Gaza over the weekend.

About half of all scheduled flights to Ben Gurion International Airport were cancelled on Sunday and a third on Monday.

Airlines which have so far reduced or suspended flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport include Transavia, ITA Airways, Iberia, AEGEAN, easyJet, Egypt Air, Finnair, KLM, Norwegian Air, TAP, LOT, Wizz Air, Air Canada, Emirates, Ryanair, Swiss Air, Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

Airlines still flying to/from Israel

Israel’s national carrier El Al said it too was carrying out flights to and from Tel Aviv “for now” and “in accordance with the instructions of the Israeli security forces”, with flights departing only from Terminal Three at Ben Gurion Airport, and that several flights carried out in cooperation with other airlines had been cancelled.

Ben Gurion Airport.

British Airways also confirmed that it would be operating flights to Israel “over the coming days with adjusted departure times”. Virgin Atlantic also said that it would be running some flights offering customers the option to rebook or request a refund on their tickets.

TUS Airways announced on Monday that it would continue with its flight program to and from Tel Aviv and that – in efforts to meet transport needs – had added flights from the Israeli city to Larnaca and Athens.

Cyprus Airways in order to facilitate passengers traveling between Tel Aviv and Larnaca, said on Monday that it will waive ticket reissue fees for those holding a valid ticket until November 15 who wish to travel earlier or later.

Meanwhile, Greece was among the countries to carry out evacuation plans for its citizens in Israel.