Delta Air Lines announced it is suspending flights to Israel through August 31 following Israel's attacks in Iran. The airline had resumed operations in early April after a prolonged suspension that began at the outbreak of the war in October 2023. "The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority," Delta stated, adding that it continues to monitor the evolving security situation based on intelligence reports and security directives.
The large-scale Israeli strike in Iran early Friday morning led to the immediate closure of Israeli airspace. Ben Gurion Airport was fully evacuated and airlines were forced to cancel all flights to and from Israel. Currently, United Airlines remains the only U.S. carrier maintaining service to Israel, alongside Israel’s El Al and Arkia.
The Air France-KLM group, which includes the national carriers of France and the Netherlands, announced Friday that due to the security situation and closure of Israeli airspace, it is suspending flights to and from Israel until further notice. The group will reassess operations as conditions permit. Flights from the Netherlands previously included a brief stopover in Larnaca, while flights from Israel to Amsterdam were nonstop.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
The Lufthansa Group — which includes Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings — announced that service to Tel Aviv will remain suspended through July 31. Swiss specifically extended its suspension until October 25 due to operational constraints. Lufthansa had originally planned to resume flights to Israel starting June 23.
2 View gallery
Air France has suspended all flights to Israel until further notice
(Photo: Lukas Wunderlich / Shutterstock)
Several other international carriers followed with updated schedules and extended cancellations. Here is the current airline status:
- Delta Air Lines: Canceled until August 31
- United Airlines: Currently operating
- El Al: Operating
- Arkia: Operating
- Air France-KLM: Suspended until further notice
- Lufthansa Group: Suspended until July 31
- Swiss (part of Lufthansa Group): Suspended until October 25
- Austrian Airlines (Lufthansa Group): Suspended until July 31
- Brussels Airlines (Lufthansa Group): Suspended until July 31
- Eurowings (Lufthansa Group): Suspended until July 31
- ITA Airways: Canceled until July 31
- Aegean Airlines: Canceled until July 12
- Bluebird Airways: Canceled between June 13–15
- TUS Airways: Canceled between June 13–15
- Ryanair: Canceled until September 30
- EasyJet: Canceled until July 31
- Wizz Air: Canceled until June 20
- Transavia: Currently operating
- British Airways: Canceled until July 31
- Air Seychelles: Canceled at least until August
- LOT Polish Airlines: Canceled until June 15
- Air India: Canceled until July 1
- Iberia & Iberia Express: Canceled until June 30
- Air Baltic: Canceled until June 23
- Air Europa: Canceled until June 18
- Air Canada: Suspended indefinitely
Legal implications and passenger rights
Adv. Ehud Pai, an expert in aviation and tourism law, explained that if an airline can prove the cancellation was caused by an extraordinary security event during wartime, it may be exempt from paying financial compensation.
People evacuating from the airport as Israel shuts down air space
However, airlines are still obligated to provide alternative flights or full refunds, according to passengers' choice, along with assistance services such as accommodation and meals until the replacement flight departs.
Travel tips for passengers
- Closely monitor airline announcements for updates.
- Lufthansa Group offers free cancellations or rebookings for affected passengers.
- Verify whether Israeli airline flights are operated by leased aircraft.
- Consider purchasing "ticket protection" coverage to ensure refunds in case of cancellations.
- Passengers stranded abroad should verify whether their travel insurance coverage has been automatically extended by their insurance provider.