This article has been updated since its original publish date. BTN continues to update the flight cancellation and suspension list. Latest update, Oct. 26.
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Surprise Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 6 escalated quickly into a declaration of war by Israel amid increasing violence, abductions and air strikes in the region that have resulted in more than 4,000 people dead, according to reports on Monday, Oct. 16.
Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv has remained open despite the escalating violence. Many airlines by Monday had suspended flights but several projected limited service later in the week. Flight cancellations and service suspensions continued to pile up as the level of conflict came into clearer view.
According to Flightradar24, about 46 percent of Ben Gurion International's typical volume remained active on Wednesday, Oct. 11, but the volume has dropped since.
The following major U.S., European and Asian airlines, along with subsidiaries, have suspended service to the country. U.S. airlines had given statements Monday that they were monitoring the situation and will resume flights as safety conditions improve. Delta and American have further revised operations, with the latest reflected below. This is a developing situation, and this list is subject to change and will be updated as circumstances warrant (latest update: Oct. 16.)
- Air France – Suspended
- Air Canada – Suspended; will resume "as soon as the situation stabilizes"
- American Airlines – Suspended through Dec. 4 (updated Oct. 10)
- British Airways – Flights suspended to and from Tel Aviv (updated Oct. 11)
- Cathay Pacific – Suspended through Dec. 31 (Updated Oct. 26)
- Delta Air Lines – TLV to BOS and ATL suspended until further notice; TLV to JFK suspended through Nov. 15 (updated Oct. 26)
- EasyJet – Flights suspended through Nov. 7 (Updated Oct. 26)
- Hainan – Flights remain bookable on the Hainan website between Beijing and Shenzhen to Tel Aviv (Updated Oct. 26)
- India Air – Suspended through Nov. 2. (Updated Oct. 26)
- Korean Air – No flights available to book; no further guidance since Oct. 9.
- Pegasus Hava – Suspended until further notice
- Ryanair – Suspended (Updated Oct. 10)
- Lufthansa – Flights suspended to Israel through Oct. 31. (Updated Oct. 26)
- Turkish Airlines – Flights suspended "until further notice" (Updated Oct. 11)
- United Airlines – Tel Aviv flights remain suspended. United has expanded flexibility for people who hold Tel
Aviv tickets. It has also expanded capacity from Athens to assist travelers leaving the region. According to an emailed statement, United is in continuous contact with the U.S. State Department as it seeks to add options to assist American travelers. (Updated Oct. 12)
- Virgin Atlantic – Suspended through Nov. 4 (updated Oct. 26)
- Wizz Air – Suspended
Foreign airlines that continue to fly to Israel include Air Serbia, Ethopian Airlines, Emirates, FlyDubai and Greek low-cost carrier Bluebird Airlines. (Updated Oct. 16)
According to Israeli business news outlet Globes, El Al Israel Airlines, Israir and Arkia are now operating extra flights to fill the gap. El Al has added flights to and from New York, Bangkok, Athens and Frankfurt. Israir will operate this week to and from Dubai; Larnaca, Greece; Rome; London; Berlin; Budapest; Prague; Istanbul; Varna, Bulgaria; Baku, Azerbaijan. Arkia is operating rescue flights including to Athens, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Tblisi and Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. (Updated Oct. 16, Source: Globes)
The Israeli government has issued a caution to airlines flying over Israeli airspace, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has underscored that caution, issuing Notice to Air Missions to pilots that flags, in part, a "potentially hazardous situation" and "operators are advised to exercise extreme caution." The EU Aviation Safety agency has issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin recommending airlines ensure "a robust risk assessment is in place together with a high level of contingency planning for their operations and to be ready for short notice instructions from the Israeli authorities."
Airlines that continue to serve routes to Israel—or that regularly fly over Israel airspace—are being urged to carry additional fuel in case of re-routing. Some flights may opt to avoid the area, elongating flight durations and forcing schedule changes.
CNBC reported energy stock prices "popped" on Monday, Oct. 9 as oil prices rose following the attacks. Pricing outlooks have varied since that time, but more see the probability for major increases if conflict escalates to Iran and the surrounding region. This could lead to higher airline ticket prices or renewed fuel surcharges.