American Airlines announced on Sunday (August 18) that it has canceled its flights to and from Israel until April 2025, Israeli media reported. The airline extended the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport until next April.
According to a report by Israeli broadcaster KAN, the airline did not provide any specific information about the suspension.
20 airlines have so far suspended flights to Israel
Since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, several major international airlines have suspended flights to Israel. These major airlines include United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France and Cathay Pacific.
KAN had previously reported that a total of 20 foreign airlines had suspended their flights to and from Israel effective August 7.
The ceasefire talks
American Airlines’ suspension of flights to and from Israel came at a time when talks to end the war between Israel and Hamas were about to resume.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on his ninth trip to the region since the conflict began. On Monday, Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
The new round of ceasefire talks began last week in Qatar but paused without a breakthrough. Talks will resume this week on the basis of a US “bridge proposal”.
Hamas expressed doubts about the chances of an agreement.
“This is a critical moment, probably the best, perhaps the last opportunity, to bring the hostages home, to achieve a ceasefire, and to put everyone on a better path to lasting peace and security,” Blinken told reporters on Monday.
(With contributions from agencies)
