In response to escalating tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border, at least ten major airlines have suspended flights to Israel, highlighting increased security concerns in the region.
Due to rising tensions, at least ten major airlines suspended all flights to and from Israel and Lebanon on August 25, 2024. Notable airlines that suspended flights include France’s Air France, Greece’s Aegean Airlines, Greece’s Universal Airlines, Dutch low-cost carrier Transavia, Hungary’s Wizz Air, Ethiopian national carrier Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish leisure airline Corendon, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways and the United Arab Emirates’ low-cost carrier Flydubai.
The decision to suspend flights came after a series of airstrikes by Israel on southern Lebanon in early August 2024 in response to hundreds of rockets and drones fired by Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite Islamist paramilitary group. The suspensions are particularly notable because Air France, one of the few major international airlines still operating flights between Paris and Tel Aviv, has decided to temporarily suspend its services.
This situation represents a significant disruption to air traffic to and from Israel, a country that relies heavily on international flights for both tourism and the economy. The cancellations by these airlines reflect the industry’s growing concern about the risks posed by ongoing tensions that have so far shown no signs of de-escalation.
Since the end of July 2024, around 20 international airlines have suspended flights to Israel, a move that underscores growing fears of a larger regional conflict.
