JERUSALEM:
American Airlines has suspended all flights to and from Israel until April 2025, Israeli media reports. This decision comes amid escalating regional tensions due to Israel’s ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip, which have left over 40,000 dead and 92,000 injured since October 7 last year.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN said the airline had extended its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, without giving specific reasons for the long-term suspension. American Airlines joins several other major airlines, including United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, that have suspended flights to Israel. As of August 7, 20 foreign airlines had suspended operations to and from Israel.
The country remains on high military alert due to fears of possible retaliation from Iran following the assassination of Hamas politician Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. Although Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of the assassination, Israeli authorities have neither confirmed nor denied involvement. In addition, Hezbollah has vowed retaliation after its top commander, Fouad Shukr, was killed in an airstrike in Beirut on July 30.
Currently, American Airlines’ website does not indicate when flights to Tel Aviv will resume, nor does it provide an exact date for resumption of operations.
