British airways extends flight suspension to 'Israel' until July 31
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Following a missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport, major international airlines are urging Israeli authorities to declare a state of emergency.
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Israelis gather in a shelter after airstrike sirens sounded off in Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, “Israel”, early Friday, Jan. 3, 2024 (AP)
British Airways has extended its suspension of flights to and from "Israel" through July 31, citing persistent security risks following a missile strike from Yemen near Ben Gurion Airport earlier this month, as well as repeated missile launches that bring air traffic to a halt. The UK carrier had previously paused operations until mid-June, but ongoing instability has prompted a longer delay.
The decision comes in the aftermath of the May 4 incident, when a ballistic missile bypassed Israeli air defenses and struck near Terminal 3’s control tower, landing just a few hundred meters from a critical access road. The event raised immediate concerns about aviation security in "Israel", prompting numerous international airlines to reevaluate their routes. Meanwhile, many major airlines remain cautious.
The following carriers have extended their "Israel" flight cancellations:
- Air France, LOT Polish Airlines: Suspended through May 26
- Iberia (Spain): Suspended through May 31
- airBaltic (Latvia): Suspended through June 2
- ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings: Suspended through June 8
- Ryanair: Suspended through June 11
- United Airlines: Suspended through June 12
- Air India: Suspended through June 19
Furthermore, foreign carriers have jointly called on "Israel’s" Transportation Ministry to formally announce a state of emergency, requesting regulatory relief to help facilitate the safe and economically viable resumption of operations.
In a letter to Transportation Minister Miri Regev, attorney Shirly Kazir of FISCHER & Co. wrote, “In light of the current state of emergency and the disastrous consequences of security incidents on the aviation and tourism industry… it appears that the conditions are ripe to issue an order to instate mechanisms applicable for emergency situations.”
The request includes a call for the easing of passenger compensation obligations under aviation law, as per Israeli media.
Legal risks and safety fears threaten long-term routes
Over the past 19 months, many foreign airlines suspending "Israel" flights have done so repeatedly, caught in a cycle of restarting and pausing services due to the Yemeni operations in support of Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli genocide, which has so far killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
These disruptions, coupled with mounting class-action lawsuits and individual compensation claims, have raised concerns that some airlines may abandon their routes to "Israel" altogether.
As security concerns continue to shape aviation decisions, British Airways’ extended pause underscores the uncertainty facing "Israel".
Read more: Ben Gurion flight suspensions disrupt travel, economy
