United Airlines, Air Baltic, Delta, EasyJet Lufthansa, ITA, Aegean and many other airlines are suspending flights due to Middle East conflict concerns causing disruption to air traffic

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Airlines airBaltic, Delta, EasyJet, Lufthansa, ITA Airways and Aegean Airlines have suspended their flights to the region due to safety concerns. These suspensions affect key destinations such as Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman and Tehran, as airlines prioritize the safety of passengers and crew over maintaining regular operations.

United Airlines has suspended flights to Tel Aviv indefinitely, while airBaltic, Delta and Lufthansa have cancelled their flights to Tel Aviv and other destinations in the region until the end of August or beyond. EasyJet and ITA Airways have extended their suspensions until 2025. In addition, Lufthansa and its subsidiaries are avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace. These disruptions underscore the significant impact of the conflict on global air travel. The airlines are closely monitoring the situation and adapting their operations accordingly to ensure safety and security.

As tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, the aviation industry must respond quickly to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Airlines from around the world have announced temporary suspensions or adjustments to their flight operations, particularly those flying to destinations in and around the conflict zone. Below are the measures various international airlines have taken in response to the ongoing situation.

Aegean Airlines: Greek airline suspends flights to Lebanon, Jordan and Israel

Aegean Airlines, Greece’s largest airline, has cancelled all flights to and from Beirut, Amman and Tel Aviv until August 19, 2024. The decision reflects the airline’s cautious approach given the deteriorating security situation in these areas. Aegean’s action underlines the importance of passenger safety and the need to reassess operations in times of increased risk.

Air Algerie: Algerian airline suspends flights to Lebanon indefinitely

Air Algerie has joined the list of airlines that have suspended their flights to the Middle East. In particular, all services to and from Lebanon will be suspended until further notice. The decision by the Algerian national carrier is part of a broader trend among regional airlines to avoid conflict-affected areas, underscoring the potential risks associated with continuing operations in unstable regions.

airBaltic: Latvia’s national airline cancels flights to Tel Aviv

Latvia’s Air Baltic has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv until August 18, 2024. This move reflects growing concerns among European airlines about the safety of flights to conflict zones. The suspension is a precautionary measure aimed at minimising exposure to potential threats in the region.

Air India: Indian airline ceases operations to Tel Aviv

Air India has suspended its scheduled flights to and from Tel Aviv indefinitely. As one of Asia’s largest airlines, Air India’s decision underscores the global impact of the Middle East conflict on air travel. The airline is closely monitoring the situation and will resume operations when it deems the region safe for its passengers and crew.

Air France-KLM: European airline group adjusts Middle East routes

Air France-KLM is taking a multi-pronged approach to the Middle East conflict, with both the French and Dutch carriers adapting their operations. Air France has extended the suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until August 14, 2024. Meanwhile, KLM has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv from early August until October 26, 2024. In addition, Transavia, a low-cost airline owned by Air France-KLM, has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until March 31, 2025. These decisions highlight the complexity of managing flight operations amid regional instability.

Delta Air Lines: US carrier extends flight ban to Tel Aviv

Delta Air Lines, one of the largest U.S. airlines, has extended the suspension of flights between New York and Tel Aviv until August 31, 2024. The extension reflects ongoing concerns about the safety of operations in the Middle East and Delta’s commitment to protecting its passengers and employees. The airline continues to monitor the situation and will adjust its operations as needed.

EasyJet: British low-cost airline to discontinue Tel Aviv flights by 2025

EasyJet, Britain’s leading low-cost airline, has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv since April 2024. The airline has announced that it will resume operations on March 30, 2025, provided the security situation improves. EasyJet’s continued suspension underscores the long-term impact the conflict could have on air travel to the region.

Finnair: Finnish airline avoids Iranian airspace

Finnair has announced that it will continue to avoid Iranian airspace, which could result in longer flight times to and from Doha. The Finnish airline’s decision to divert flights underscores widespread airline concerns about the safety of flights over conflict zones, especially near active military operations.

ITA Airways: Italian airline extends Tel Aviv ban

ITA Airways, Italy’s national airline, has extended the suspension of its flights to and from Tel Aviv until August 15, 2024. The airline’s proactive approach reflects its commitment to safety and its response to the rapidly changing security situation in the Middle East.

Lufthansa Group: German airline extends flight bans for Middle East flights

The Lufthansa Group has imposed a comprehensive suspension of flights to numerous destinations in the Middle East. Lufthansa, the Group’s main airline, has extended its avoidance of Iranian and Iraqi airspace and suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Amman and Erbil until August 21, 2024. Swiss Air Lines, another member of the Lufthansa Group, has also suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut until August 21, 2024, while Austrian Airlines has cancelled all flights to Amman, Beirut, Erbil, Tehran and Tel Aviv until August 21, 2024. These comprehensive suspensions highlight the challenges European airlines face in maintaining their operations in conflict regions.

Ryanair: Europe’s largest low-cost airline cancels flights to Tel Aviv

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, has cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until August 23, 2024. The airline’s decision is part of a broader trend among European airlines to minimise exposure to conflict zones and ensure the safety of their operations.

Singapore Airlines: Avoiding Iranian airspace

Singapore Airlines has suspended flights over Iranian airspace and opted for alternative routes to maintain the safety of its flights. The airline’s decision reflects broader concerns among international airlines about the risks associated with flying over conflict zones in the Middle East.

United Airlines: US airline suspends flights to Tel Aviv indefinitely

United Airlines has suspended flights to Tel Aviv for the foreseeable future. The Chicago-based airline has suspended daily service between Newark, New Jersey and Tel Aviv on July 31, 2024, due to safety concerns. United’s indefinite suspension underscores the heightened risk situation in the region.

Vueling: Spanish low-cost airline cancels flights to the Middle East

Vueling, a Spanish low-cost airline owned by IAG, has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv and Amman until October 26, 2024. The airline’s decision is part of a broader reassessment of flight operations to conflict zones, with passenger safety at the forefront.

British government advises avoiding Lebanese airspace

The British government has advised British airlines to avoid Lebanese airspace from 8 August to 4 November 2024 because military activity could pose a threat to air traffic. This recommendation is part of a wider set of precautionary measures taken by governments and airlines to protect passengers and crew from the dangers posed by the conflict in the Middle East.

A complex and evolving situation

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created a complex and evolving situation for the global aviation industry. Airlines from around the world are taking decisive action to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew, frequently suspending or diverting flights to avoid conflict areas. As the situation evolves, airlines will continue to monitor the security situation and make adjustments to their operations as necessary. Travelers planning to visit or transit through the Middle East are advised to stay informed of the latest updates from airlines and government authorities to ensure a safe and smooth journey.