India (Commonwealth Union)_ In response to the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Hamas, several major international airlines have taken the precautionary measure of suspending or canceling flight services to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport. Among them, Air India, owned by the Tata group, announced the cancellation of its Tel Aviv flights until October 14, 2023, citing passenger and crew safety as the primary concern. The airline pledged to provide support to passengers holding confirmed bookings during this period. The statement from the airline spokesperson said, “Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended till 14th October, 2023, for the safety of our passengers and crew”.
In a parallel move, American carriers United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines opted to suspend direct flights to Israel following a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory urging caution. Meanwhile, European airlines like Ryanair and Norwegian Air suspended flights from Copenhagen and Stockholm to Tel Aviv for the current week. Additional prominent carriers such as Air France, Lufthansa, and Emirates also halted their direct flights to the Tel Aviv international airport.
Britain’s easyJet adjusted its flight schedule for Sunday and Monday, temporarily suspending Tel Aviv flights and offering rebooking or refund options for the next few days. Hungarian budget carrier Wizz Air went further by canceling all Tel Aviv flights until further notice. Virgin Atlantic chose to continue some flights to and from Tel Aviv, providing flexibility for customers to rebook or request refunds up until October 15. Several other airlines, including Aegean, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Air Canada, likewise suspended their flights to the region.
However, Israel’s flag carrier, El Al, has taken a different stance, deciding to maintain its Tel Aviv flights for the time being, despite the cancellation of some flights operated by foreign partners. The airline emphasized its adherence to the instructions of Israeli security forces and centralized all departures to one terminal at Ben Gurion airport.
The recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas began when Hamas militants entered southern Israel, resulting in fatalities, abductions, and significant unrest. The conflict has claimed the lives of at least 300 Israelis, leaving hundreds more injured or missing. Hamas, a political and militant group that has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, took power after displacing the local government that had managed Gaza affairs following Israel’s withdrawal in 2005.
