The wave of airline cancellations that began on Sunday after a missile struck Ben-Gurion Airport continues, with several major carriers announcing they will not be flying to Israel. The list of cancellations is being continuously updated.
Airline cancellations to Israel continued on Wednesday, with several carriers extending their suspensions.
Numerous airlines persisted in canceling flights to Israel, some lengthening the duration of their suspensions. Ryanair announced cancellations until May 11, while American carriers United Airlines and Delta Air Lines extended their suspensions until May 18 and May 19, respectively. These three major airlines significantly impact travel to the country.
AFP / Ed Jones
An Air France Airbus A318 aircraft lands at Blagnac airport in Toulouse, southern France, on January 2, 2025 (AFP / Ed Jones)
Meanwhile, other airlines followed suit. The Lufthansa Group – including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels, and Eurowings – canceled flights until May 11. Air France and Transavia suspended operations until May 13, while Wizz Air canceled flights until Thursday morning, May 8, with updates expected during the day. Aegean Airlines from Greece halted flights until May 13, affecting some morning flights on May 14. Air Europa had not announced cancellations beyond Wednesday but was expected to provide updates. Italy's ITA Airways canceled until May 11, including flights AZ809 and AZ815 on May 12. Poland's LOT canceled all flights until May 12, though flight 155 remained scheduled for that date.
Additional airlines joined the cancellations. Air Baltic suspended flights until May 11, Ethiopian Airlines canceled at least some flights for Wednesday and Thursday, and British Airways halted operations until June 14. Iberia Express canceled its Wednesday flights, while Air India and British Airways suspended routes to Israel until May 8.
280 flights at Ben Gurion Airport today - which airlines are operating?
Dozens of airlines have temporarily halted flights to Israel, including Delta, United, Lufthansa, Air France, and other major carriers. Despite this, travel to and from Israel remains possible, with Ben Gurion Airport handling over 45,000 passengers on Wednesday – roughly half departing and half arriving.
In total, approximately 280 international flights, both incoming and outgoing, were scheduled. Airlines still operating at Ben Gurion include Bluebird Airways and TUS Airways – foreign carriers with Israeli ownership – as well as Flydubai, which operates eight daily flights. Etihad Airways, with 20 weekly flights, announced an increase to 28 weekly flights starting in December.
A Lufthansa airplane, photo: PR (archive)
All Israeli airlines – El Al, Israir, and Arkia – continued operations, while Air Haifa maintained its services from Haifa. Airline schedules remain fluid, with potential changes ahead. Travelers should check directly with airlines and official sources for updates on flight operations.
