The Lufthansa Group—including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings—has extended its suspension of flights to Israel on Tuesday through June 22, pushing back the previous date of June 15. Italy’s ITA Airways also extended its suspension through the same date.
Meanwhile, Dutch carrier KLM has resumed flights between Amsterdam and Israel, with westbound flights from Israel operating direct and eastbound flights making a stopover in Larnaca, Cyprus. Air France has also resumed flights to Israel.
In a sign of growing confidence among some carriers, U.S.-based United Airlines announced over the weekend it would resume flights to Tel Aviv earlier than planned. Originally suspended through June 13 following a Houthi missile strike on Ben Gurion Airport, United told customers it will now restart flights on June 5.
Delta Air Lines had already resumed its daily nonstop service from New York’s JFK Airport to Tel Aviv about two weeks ago. Israeli airlines El Al and Arkia continue to operate direct flights between Israel and the U.S.
Greek national carrier Aegean Airlines resumed its Israel service last Wednesday and Latvian airline airBaltic will restart flights on June 6. Spanish low-cost carrier Iberia Express extended its suspension through June 7, while British Airways extended its full suspension of flights to and from Israel through July 31.
Irish low-cost giant Ryanair extended its flight cancellations to Israel through the end of July. Last month, CEO Michael O'Leary criticized the ongoing disruptions in Israel, saying the company was "losing patience" with Ben Gurion Airport and may reassign aircraft to other parts of Europe if the instability continues.
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Footage of Houthi missile hitting close to Ben Gurion Airport
Other airlines suspending flights to Israel:
• ITA Airways (Italy): Suspended through June 15
• Iberia (Spain): Suspended through June 7
• LOT Polish Airlines: Suspended through June 8
• Air India: Suspended through June 19
• Air Seychelles: Will not return before August
• easyJet (UK): Has not flown to Israel since October 2023 and extended its suspension through June 30. The airline stated all June ticket holders are being notified of refund or alternative options and added, “We continue to closely monitor the security situation in Israel.”
Air Canada, which had planned to resume Israel operations in June, has now canceled its return indefinitely.
In a separate development, Arkia announced it will launch a new weekly nonstop route to the Seychelles starting June 20, after Air Seychelles suspended its own Israel service.
Are passengers entitled to compensation?
Aviation and tourism attorney Ehud Fai explained that passengers may not be entitled to monetary compensation if the airline can prove that the cancellation was required due to a wartime security emergency — such as the missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport.
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Israeli travelers heading to Ben Gurion Airport after Houthi missile hit
(Photo: Jack GUEZ / AFP)
Are refunds or replacement flights still required? “Yes,” Fai clarified. “Even in such cases, the airline is still obligated to offer passengers either a replacement ticket or a full refund, based on the passenger’s choice, as well as assistance services such as hotel accommodation and meals until the alternate flight departs.”
Are passengers entitled to compensation?
Aviation and tourism attorney Ehud Fai explained that passengers may not be entitled to monetary compensation if the airline can prove that the cancellation was required due to a wartime security emergency — such as the missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport.
Are refunds or replacement flights still required?
“Yes,” Fai clarified. “Even in such cases, the airline is still obligated to offer passengers either a replacement ticket or a full refund, based on the passenger’s choice, as well as assistance services such as hotel accommodation and meals until the alternate flight departs.”
What should travelers do now?
Travelers should carefully follow airline announcements regarding cancellations or service resumptions. The Lufthansa Group, for instance, is offering affected passengers free cancellations or rebookings. Those booking tickets with Israeli carriers should check whether the flight is operated by a leased foreign aircraft.
Travelers are encouraged to purchase “ticket insurance” from Israeli carriers, which provides a refund option in case of cancellation. Those currently stranded abroad should ensure their travel insurance is extended. Some insurers are doing this automatically, but passengers should confirm with their providers.