The Lufthansa Group has joined several major airlines in suspending all passenger and cargo flights to and from Tel Aviv due to heightened security concerns.
This decision follows similar moves by United Airlines, Delta Airlines, British Airways, Fly Dubai and Brussels Airlines, in response to escalating tensions in the region. (Related: Israeli tourism industry in collapse as 10% of the country’s hotels at risk of shutting down.)
The suspension comes after Israel's recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which has greatly raised fears of a broader conflict amid concerns that Iran might retaliate with another wave of missile and drone strikes against Israel, prompting airlines to cancel flights to prioritize passenger safety.
Lufthansa announced the cancellation of flights through Aug. 8, with a spokesperson citing "the current development in the region" as the reason.
United Airlines has suspended its daily flights to Tel Aviv, starting with the evening flight from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, citing security concerns and a focus on the safety of customers and crew.
Delta has canceled flights between New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport through at least Aug. 2, with other airlines also tentatively suspending service for at least two days or more.
In a related incident, a Lufthansa pilot refused to land at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv due to safety concerns amid rising tensions with Hezbollah. The flight, scheduled to arrive from Munich, was diverted to Larnaca Airport in Cyprus.
Initially, the airline informed passengers that the diversion was due to "technical reasons" but later confirmed that it was a safety precaution as the crew felt unprepared to fly into Israel.
Governments worldwide have issued high-level security alerts for travel to Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories, advising against travel to these areas. The American embassy in Beirut has urged United States citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon and be prepared to shelter in place should the conflict escalate.
The administration of President Joe Biden has warned of the potential for a major conflict involving Hezbollah in Lebanon, but as of now, there has been no formal evacuation order for U.S. citizens in the region.
Security concerns preventing airlines from scheduling flights to Israel
In communications with Global News, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines confirmed that they have paused flights to Tel Aviv due to security concerns.
United's suspension started Wednesday, July 31, for its Newark Liberty to Tel Aviv route. The airline is evaluating its next steps and will continue to monitor the situation, prioritizing the safety of customers and crew.
Delta is also monitoring the situation and has suspended flights through Aug. 2, with sales halted until that date. Affected customers will be notified, and flights with partner airlines Air France and EL AL Israel Airlines remain bookable through Delta's website when available.
Delta has issued a travel waiver for customers who booked flights to or from Tel Aviv before Aug. 14.
In contrast, Air Canada suspended its Tel Aviv flights weeks ago. As of July 11, flights from Toronto Pearson International Airport are suspended until Oct. 15, and flights from Montreal are paused until summer 2025. Passengers with flights up to Aug. 5 can rebook or receive a travel credit or refund. Tickets purchased through travel agencies must be managed directly with those agencies.
Watch this video discussing Israel's recent attacks against the Axis of Resistance in Yemen and Iran.
This video is from the channel Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth on Brighteon.com.
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