Airlines suspend flights to Tel Aviv as war rages on: Delta, American and United are among several to cancel after Hamas mounted deadliest attack against Israel in 50 years
- Airline services between the US and Israel has been suspended as the conflict continues following Hamas’ unprecedented attack
Multiple US airlines have suspended flights to Israel as the country deals with the most deadly terrorist attack in the nation’s history.
Flights from New York, Chicago, Washington DC and Miami regularly fly into Tel-Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, on Sunday most of those services were suspended until further notice.
Israeli officials said Monday that a Hamas rocket did not impact the airport’s international terminal, despite a social media video showing smoke emanating from the building.
In a statement, United said it had run two scheduled flights to the United States from Israel late on Saturday and early on Sunday but had suspended services ‘until conditions allow them to resume.’ One flight, en route to Israel from San Francisco on Saturday night, turned back mid-flight.
Delta representatives said flights ‘have been canceled into this week’ while they monitor the situation to make necessary schedule changes. American Airlines have also suspended services.
Airline services between the US and Israel has been suspended as the conflict continues following Hamas’ unprecedented attack
Delta Airlines, which regularly runs services to Tel-Aviv, said that it has suspended flights but would continue to work with the US government to get Americans out of the country
The Federal Aviation Administration has urged US pilots to exercise ‘extreme caution’ when flying in Israeli airspace amid the conflict
Delta also said that it would work with US government officials in order to work towards ensuring American citizens can safely leave the country.
The Federal Aviation Administration has urged US pilots to exercise ‘extreme caution’ when flying in Israeli airspace amid the conflict.
While Hainan Airlines, the only Chinese airline to fly between China and Israel, cancelled flights between Tel Aviv and Shanghai on Monday. Korean made a similar announcement.
‘Future operations at TLV will be suspended until conditions allow them to resume,’ United said in a statement.’
Delta said it was ‘working to safely transport Delta people back to the U.S. and will work with the U.S. government as needed to assist with the repatriation of U.S. citizens who want to return home.’
‘We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation as needed,’ said American Airlines.
International carriers, including Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, Ryanair, Brussels Airline, Transvaria, Iberia Express, ITA and Aegean Airlines, have suspended services until further notice.
British Airways has yet to suspend travel but said that it was allowing bookers to be flexible with their travel plans.
Passengers wait at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, as internaitonal carriers continue to suspend flights
The conflict sparked major disruption at Tel Aviv airport, with American Airlines, Emirates, Lufthansa and Ryanair among carriers with cancelled flights
It’s unknown how many Americans are still stuck in Israel as the attacks continue.
More than two days after Hamas launched its surprise attack from Gaza, the military said the fighting had largely died down for now.
Israel’s vaunted military and intelligence apparatus was caught completely off guard, bringing heavy battles to its streets for the first time in decades.
Israel formally declared war on Sunday, portending greater fighting ahead, and a possible ground assault into Gaza — a move that in the past has brought intensified casualties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy ‘the military and governing capabilities’ of the militant group, which is deeply rooted in Gaza.
As Israel hit more than 1,000 targets in Gaza and its tanks and drones guarded openings in the border fence to prevent more infiltrations, Palestinian militants continued firing barrages of rockets, setting off air raid sirens in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Video posted online appeared to show a plume of smoke near a terminal at Ben Gurion International Airport.
There was no immediate word on casualties or damage from the latest bombardment.
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