The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated into a full-scale war, as Israel formally declared war on the militant group on Monday. The declaration came after unprecedented rocket attacks from Gaza that targeted major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. Israel responded with airstrikes and artillery fire that killed hundreds of Palestinians and destroyed many buildings in Gaza.
The war has also disrupted air travel in and out of Israel, as several airlines have canceled or suspended their flights to Tel Aviv, home to Israel’s largest international airport. The cancellations follow a “do not fly” order from the president of the Allied Pilots Association, the union representing 15,000 American Airlines pilots. He cautioned pilots to refuse any assignment into Israel and added that the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a notice to air personnel urging “extreme caution” when operating in the Tel Aviv area.
US airlines suspend flights to Tel Aviv until further notice
Among the US carriers, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines have all suspended their flights to Tel Aviv until further notice. American Airlines said it was suspending flights until Friday as it closely monitors the situation on the ground. Delta Air Lines said it would suspend its nonstop flights to and from Tel Aviv through at least the end of October and said it will work with customers to get them out of Israel through partner airlines. United Airlines said its Tel Aviv flights will remain suspended until conditions allow them to resume.
The US Embassy in Israel said in a security update Monday that it is continuing “to closely monitor the dynamic security situation” in the region. Although Ben Gurion International Airport is open, “some flights have been reduced or suspended. US carriers have temporarily suspended flights to Israel,” according to the embassy.
International airlines also cancel or reduce service to Israel
Several international airlines have also canceled or reduced their service to Israel due to the war. British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa Group, Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet were among the carriers that scrapped or delayed their trips to Tel Aviv. Some airlines said they would resume their flights as soon as the situation improves, while others said they would cancel them until further notice.
However, some airlines continued to operate their flights to and from Israel despite the security risks. Israeli airline El Al said it would maintain its regular schedule and offer additional flights to accommodate stranded passengers. Emirates and Turkish Airlines also kept flying to Tel Aviv, while Korean Air canceled one of its three weekly flights but planned to fly a larger plane on Tuesday to bring Korean nationals back home.
Travelers face uncertainty and anxiety amid the war
The flight cancellations have left many travelers stranded or uncertain about their travel plans amid the war. Some travelers said they were unable to find alternative flights or had to pay exorbitant prices for tickets. Others said they were worried about their safety and wanted to leave Israel as soon as possible.
Some travelers also expressed frustration with the lack of communication from the airlines or the authorities about the flight status or the security situation. They said they felt helpless and abandoned by their governments or their travel agents. Some travelers also criticized the airlines for canceling their flights without offering refunds or compensation.
