Several major airlines have continued to extend their cancellation of services to Israel and other parts of the Middle East due to heightened security fears in the region. Lufthansa Group, which also owns Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Swiss and Eurowings, has now suspended all flights to Tel Aviv, Amman, Beirut, Erbil and Tehran, up to and including 26 August. This decision comes as a response to the ongoing conflict and security concerns in the region, which have made it difficult for airlines to operate safely.
Meanwhile, budget carrier Ryanair has cancelled all flights to and from Israel up to and including 30 September. The airline cited “operational restrictions which are beyond our control” for the extension of the cancellations of its Tel Aviv services. However, another low-cost carrier, Wizz Air, has already resumed services to Israel, showing that some airlines are beginning to navigate the challenges of operating in the region.
US carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines have also each extended the suspension of their flights to and from Tel Aviv. Delta has pushed its suspension of services to Israel from 31 August to 30 September, while United has continued its indefinite suspension of flights to Tel Aviv. American Airlines, which has not resumed flights to Israel since the Hamas attacks in October 2023, has currently suspended flights to Tel Aviv through to 29 March 2025 after originally planning to restore the route in late October.
Currently, Israeli airline El Al is the only carrier flying between Tel Aviv and the US. El Al has also increased capacity on its most popular European routes to fill some of the gap left by airlines that have temporarily suspended services to Israel. Dina Ben Tal Ganancia, CEO of El Al, emphasized the airline’s commitment to providing a suitable response for the entire Israeli public amidst the cancellations of foreign airlines.
Ben Tal Ganancia made her comments as El Al announced its second-quarter financial results, which included a 33 per cent year-on-year rise in revenue to $839 million and a net profit of $147 million for the quarter – up from a profit of $59 million in Q2 of 2023. The airline attributed its success to the high demand for its flights, with an “exceptional” load factor of 92 per cent during the second quarter due to the smaller number of flights to Israel with foreign airlines.
In conclusion, the ongoing conflict and security concerns in the Middle East have led to major airlines extending their cancellations of services to Israel. While some carriers are beginning to resume operations, others are taking a cautious approach to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew. El Al’s success in filling the gap left by foreign airlines highlights the resilience of the airline industry in navigating challenging circumstances. As the situation continues to evolve, airlines will need to adapt and prioritize safety and security in their operations.
