Airlines Suspend and Divert Flights as Israel’s Attack on Iran Closes Middle East Airspace

Airlines globally have reacted decisively to heightened tensions in the Middle East, canceling flights to Israel and avoiding significant portions of airspace in the region. This follows Israel’s missile strikes on Iran and Iran’s subsequent drone launches aimed at Israeli territory.

On Friday afternoon, Delta Air Lines announced the suspension of its services to Tel Aviv until at least September. This came shortly after the airline recommenced flights on May 20 and had previously planned to increase operations between New York and Israel in response to growing demand for winter flights.

United Airlines also halted its flights to Tel Aviv, at least until Saturday. Following Israel’s overnight strikes, both airlines redirected their Tel Aviv-bound flights back to the New York area over the Atlantic.

United was notably able to arrange passage for 26 of its crew members stranded in Israel, utilizing the services of Israeli airline El Al for their return. In light of the security situation and directives from local authorities, El Al announced that it had suspended all flights for the time being.

The airline advised customers against heading to Ben Gurion Airport and recommended that travelers already abroad secure accommodations until security conditions change. Flights en route to Israel were redirected to other EL AL destinations.

Others in the airline industry are also adjusting their services. Turkish Airlines and Wizz Air announced the suspension of all flights to Israel.

Lufthansa has suspended its flights to Tel Aviv, Tehran, Jordan, and Lebanon for varying durations, while Emirates has canceled its services to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran. In response to the disruptions, airlines are providing travel vouchers and waiving change fees for affected customers.

The ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East have compelled airlines to take longer routes, increasing costs in efforts to bypass volatile regions, a trend that mirrors challenges seen during conflicts such as that in Ukraine.