Airlines extend their flying ban into risky country

One airline said its decision 'follows an extensive security risk assessment.'

May 22, 2025 - 17:20

Airlines extend their flying ban into risky country

After the October 2023 attacks and abductions by militant group Hamas prompted the Israeli military’s entry into Gaza, multiple international airlines immediately halted service to the Middle Eastern nation.

American Airlines (AAL) confirmed that it will not restart flights to Tel Aviv in the foreseeable future, while United Airlines (UAL) , Delta (DAL) , and Lufthansa (DLAKF) tested resuming select flights throughout 2024 but were forced to constantly stop and restart service as fresh escalations and new threats from Iran and Hezbollah continue to threaten safety.

As the U.S.-based airline with the largest number of flights to Tel Aviv from American cities, United just announced that its latest flight suspensions will last until at least June 12. Meanwhile, Delta has resumed its flight between New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv.

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‘Follows an extensive security risk assessment by the airline’

“The decision to resume the route on May 20, which was temporarily suspended in response to ongoing conflict in the region, follows an extensive security risk assessment by the airline,” the Atlanta-based airline said in a statement. “Delta is continuously monitoring the evolving security environment and assessing operations based on security guidance and intelligence reports.”

Delta, however, is an exception, as a number of other airlines from around the world have extended the period during which they do not fly into Israel.

Poland’s flagship carrier LOT Airways has suspended its Tel Aviv service from Warsaw until May 25, and Italy’s ITA Airways made no commitment to restart after a suspension that was supposed to end on May 18. Greece’s Aegean also has a service suspension expected to last longer than the previously announced May 21.

All this comes after the Iranian-backed Houthi militia group made repeated threats to strike Ben Gurion Airport in a new escalation of the conflict.

Given Israel’s small size, international flights into the country go primarily through Tel Aviv.
Image source: Shutterstock

‘Decided to continue suspending their flights to and from Tel Aviv’

“Due to the current situation, the Lufthansa Group has decided to continue suspending their flights to and from Tel Aviv up until and including June 8,” the German giant also behind other airlines such as Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines said in its own statement. “Affected guests will be notified and rebooked on alternative flights, subject to availability.”

More on travel:

With most international carriers offering sporadic Israel service, flagship carrier El Al (ELALF) has been the most reliable carrier to get to and from the country. Shares of Israel’s main airline have, as a result, risen by more than 48% since the start of 2025, as both Israelis and foreigners who travel to the country regularly had been left with little choice about which carrier to take.

At the end of April, British carrier Virgin Atlantic has redirected its customers to El Al when announcing that it was permanently canceling its flight between London and Tel Aviv.

“The codeshare partnership with El Al offers connections between Israel, the UK, and the U.S., allowing customers greater flexibility, with frequencies up to four daily flights, and choice when selecting travel between Israel and the UK,” the Virgin Atlantic statement says.