U.S. and European Airlines Suspend Flights to Israel Amid Hamas Attacks

Several major US airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, have temporarily suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel due to the ongoing security concerns in the region. The decision comes in the wake of a surprise attack by Hamas militants on Saturday, during which thousands of rockets were fired from Gaza into Israeli towns.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice on Saturday Oct. 7, urging US carriers to exercise caution when operating in the airspace of Tel Aviv. The FAA is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed.

This move by US airlines follows similar decisions by international carriers like Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, and Ryanair. Additionally, Air Canada has announced the temporary cancellation of flights to Tel Aviv starting on Sunday Oct. 8. Notably, Turkish Airlines has not made any changes to its flights to Israel.

It’s important to note that Ben Gurion International Airport, the primary airport serving Tel Aviv, remains open, though some flights have been redirected to other airports worldwide. El Al, Israel’s national airline, is offering flexible options for passengers who wish to change or cancel their flights.

These flight disruptions come amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, resulting in casualties and injuries in both Gaza and Israel. The United Nations Security Council is convening an emergency meeting on Sunday to address the ongoing crisis.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, thecjn.ca, toronto.ctvnews.ca