Foreign airlines continue to cancel flights to Israel

(live here) – The aviation industry is facing uncertainty: Despite attempts to return to normal, the vast majority of foreign companies are extending the suspension of flights due to the security situation, and only a small number have returned to normal operations.

About three weeks after the unusual launch from Yemen – in which a missile exploded near Ben Gurion Airport on May 3 – the situation in the skies continues to be unclear. Although that specific launch led to immediate cancellations of flights by foreign airlines, the hope was for a quick return to normal. In practice, the tense security situation and the recurring alarms in the central region, alongside temporary closures of Israeli airspace, are causing many companies to repeatedly postpone the date of their return to regular operations.

Many travelers who closely follow airline updates are finding that uncertainty continues, and that most foreign airlines that have suspended flights have not yet resumed operations. As of Wednesday, May 29, 2025, these are the latest updates from several prominent companies:

Airlines that are still suspending their flights to Israel:

• LOT Polish Airlines (Poland) suspends its flights until June 2, 2025 (inclusive).
• Iberia Express (Spain), which resumed operations in April, has been suspended again until June 2, 2025.
• ITA Airways (Italy) has extended the suspension until July 15, 2025.
• Ryanair (Ireland) is not expected to resume its flights before July 31, 2025 (inclusive).
• The Lufthansa Group (Germany, Switzerland and Austria) including Swiss and Austrian Airlines is suspending until June 15, 2025.
• British Airways (UK) will remain suspended until July 31, 2025 (inclusive).
• Air Seychelles (Seychelles) is not expected to return before July 31, 2025 (inclusive).
• Air India (India) suspends its flights until June 19, 2025 (inclusive).
• United Airlines (USA) continues suspension until June 12, 2025.
• AirBaltic (Latvia) has canceled its flights to Israel until June 19, 2025 (inclusive).

Return to activity:

Alongside the long wait for most companies to return, there are also those who have chosen to renew their lines to Israel:

• Aegean Airlines (Greece) has returned to regular operations.
• Delta Airlines (USA) has resumed its flights to Israel; it is the second largest airline in the world.
• Air France (France) has resumed flights on the Paris-Tel Aviv route.

The aviation industry hopes for improved security stability, but for now, decision-making is being done with great caution. For travelers planning flights this summer, it is recommended to follow airline updates, check cancellation and refund policies, and consider purchasing appropriate insurance.

Amid the challenging aviation reality, Air Haifa - the airline of the north - reports a sharp increase in demand for flights, since foreign airlines announced the suspension of their operations to Israel. However, the company emphasizes that they do not intend to take advantage of the situation, but rather act out of public responsibility.

"Our goal is to make things easier for the Israeli public and to allay concerns about not taking advantage of the situation," the company said. Accordingly, Air Haifa continues to offer fair prices and maintains a flexible cancellation policy, allowing passengers to plan their trip with peace of mind. One of the company's main intermediate destinations is Cyprus, from where many passengers continue on connecting flights to destinations throughout Europe, such as London. The company currently operates three aircraft, A fourth aircraft is expected to join the fleet this summer, and a fifth aircraft is expected to be delivered by the end of the year.