Major American and European airlines suspend flights to Israel

Lufthansa Group said all its flights, including those of Swiss International Air Lines and Austrian Airlines, were suspended to Tel Aviv until Monday

Several airlines temporarily suspended routes to Israel this weekend following the surprise Hamas attacks and the Israeli retaliation that followed.

US-based United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv. According to CNBC, United Flight 954, which departed San Francisco on Friday night for Israel, turned back while flying over Greenland.

Lufthansa Group said all its flights, including those of Swiss International Air Lines and Austrian Airlines, were suspended to Tel Aviv until Monday.

“Lufthansa has cancelled all its flights to and from Israel until Monday 9 October 2023. Decisions on the upcoming flight schedule will be made early next week,” a Lufthansa statement said.

French airline Air France also announced that it is suspending its flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice.

The airline’s statement reads:

“Air France is monitoring developments in Israel in real-time.

In coordination with the French DGAC and the Israeli authorities, Air France is suspending its services to Tel Aviv until further notice. As a result, flights to and from Tel Aviv on Sunday 8 October, and Monday 9 October have been cancelled.

Measures are in place to allow customers to postpone or cancel their trip without charge.

Air France recalls that the safety of its customers and crew is its top priority. The airline constantly monitors the geopolitical situation in the regions it serves and those overflown by its aircraft in order to ensure the highest level of flight safety.”

Israeli airline El Al said on Sunday that its flights were “operating normally”.