As fighting intensifies in Israel, major airlines are rethinking their strategy for flights to and from the country in the near future.
After a terrorist attack led to outright fighting in Israel and the Gaza Strip, major international airlines changed their entry and exit schedules from the country.
THE Associated Press reports that several carriers – including the three former US carriers – are adjusting their schedules to stop flying from their home countries to major Israeli airports.
Some cancel for a short time, while others see indefinite disruption
As fighting intensifies between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, airlines are beginning to take notice and adjust their schedules. The largest US airlines – American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines – are cutting all routes to and from the Middle Eastern country.
Of the three legacy carriers, American has not completely ruled out flying to Israel. The airline said it would only suspend flights until Friday, October 13, 2023, giving it time to reassess the situation and determine whether continuing flights is a safe route.
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is further reducing flights to Israel, with the possibility of longer-term cancellations. The carrier said it would cancel all flights to Israel until the end of October, while “monitoring the situation and adjusting schedules accordingly.”
United Airlines is the only one to have decided to completely cancel all its flights to Israel due to the conflict. The airline told the AP that after its last two flights out of the country over the weekend of October 7, it would suspend all travel to the country until conditions improve.
U.S.-based carriers aren’t the only ones staying away from Israel at the moment. Air France, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa Group and Wizz Air have all canceled some of their flights to the country due to the fighting. Nor is this a unique situation that airlines have faced in the 21st century. After the Tragedy of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17international carriers have actively avoided flying over Ukrainian airspace.
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