Lufthansa delays Tel Aviv service resumption until May 11
Lufthansa extends the Tel Aviv layover to 18th May
Social Media Share: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
In an update, Lufthansa Group — comprising Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings — has extended the halt on flights to Israel until May 11 due to renewed concerns about Houthi missile attacks. This decison follows a ballistic missile strike by Yemen’s Houthi group near Ben Gurion Airport on May 4, causing temporary airport closures, injuries, and chaos13.
Initially, it was anticipated that Lufthansa would resume flights by May 8, but the extension was necessitated by the prevailing security environment. On the contrary, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have extended their halt on Tel Aviv services until May 18 and May 19 respectively.
airlines suspending flights to Israel:- Air France: Cancels flights until May 13- Iberia Express: Halted until June 1- British Airways: Skipping Israel flights until June 15 (as reported by Yedioth Ahronoth)- Air Europa: Cancelled Sunday flights, citing the volatile security situation- Aegean Airlines and Wizz Air: Both plan to resume flights next week following initial suspensions- Arkia, an Israeli airline, has temporarily ceased New York operations in Athens until May 14 due to operational constraints13
The ongoing regional instability and heightened security risks have compelled airlines to modify their schedules, with plans subject to change according to the security environment.
Source: ntv.de, dpa
Other Relevant Resources- Lufthansa suspends flights to Israel until May 11- Delta and United extend Israel flight suspensions- Airlines cancellations increase due to Gaza conflict
Note: Some airlines may have revised their decisions since the time of publication. It's advisable to visit the airline’s official websites or contact their customer service for the most up-to-date information.
- The Commission has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks arising from the use of electronic communication networks, considering the escalating political tensions and growing use of WhatsApp and other social media platforms amidst war-and-conflicts and general news.
- While Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings have extended their halt on flights to Israel until May 11, aviv (a startup that aims to revolutionize passenger transportation via drones) might find an opportunity to fill the gap in the market by proposing innovative solutions for safe transportation in volatile security situations.
- As United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have extended their Tel Aviv service stoppage until May 18 and May 19 respectively, travellers may look for alternative modes of transportation for a smooth journey, such as traveling via other airlines like El Al Israel Airlines or using European rail systems.
- In the midst of the delay in resumption of flights to Israel, policy-makers should address the concerns of airlines and all parties involved to develop clear guidelines for safe travel and prevent potential political escalations in future.
