Airlines Cancel Flights to Israel Amid Mideast Tensions

Tens of thousands of people, with reports estimating up to 70,000, are flooding Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport today, Thursday, August 1, fearing an escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Citing security concerns, international airlines are canceling flights to Israel.

Israel announced Wednesday the closure of its airspace north of Hadera due to security concerns, but Ben Gurion and Ramon International airports will remain open. Ramon Airport is located in southern Israel.

On Thursday, Lufthansa, airBaltic and flydubai joined Delta, United Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, British Airways and Air India in canceling flights to Israel. According to the Cyprus News Agency, Lufthansa flight LH682 from Munich to Tel Aviv landed at Larnaca airport, with the crew refusing to continue to its destination. Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Swiss, Brussels, Austrian and Eurowings, has announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Israel until August 9.

United Airlines, which had resumed flights to Israel in June after suspending them last October, has announced another suspension. Delta Airlines has also canceled its flights between New York and Tel Aviv at least until August 2.

Emergency Flights from Israel to Athens

Meanwhile, to address the increased demand at Tel Aviv International Airport, Israeli private carrier Arkia announced additional flights from Tel Aviv to Athens on August 2 and 3.

Several countries, including the UK, Italy, and the US, are urging their citizens to leave Lebanon citing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The US has raised its Travel Advisory for Lebanon to level 4, advising citizens to cancel their travel plans.