Flights to Tel Aviv cancelled as Gaza-Israel war escalates

Gulf and Indian carriers among airlines to suspend services to Ben Gurion airport

Passengers look at a departure board at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. AFP

A growing number of flights to Tel Aviv have been cancelled in the wake of Israel's declaration of war on Hamas.

Gulf and Indian carriers were among the international airlines to suspend services on Sunday.

Etihad said flight EY593/EY594 between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv on October 8 was cancelled.

“Etihad is monitoring the situation in Israel and continues to maintain close contact with authorities. The safety and comfort of our guests and crew is our number one priority,” the airline said.

The airline also confirmed that Monday's flights to and from Tel Aviv were cancelled.

Flydubai cancelled two flights – FZ 1625/1626 and FZ 1807/1808 – on Saturday as Israel came under attack.

However, the airline said flights were running as normal throughout Sunday.

“Flights to Ben Gurion Airport today, 8 October, are currently operating to schedule,” a representative said.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and amend our schedule accordingly.”

UAE airlines opened direct flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport after the UAE and Israel signed Abraham Accords in September 2020.

A representative for Emirates Airline said flights are “operating as per normal schedule”. Emirates operates three daily flights to Tel Aviv.

Aerial bombings

In Israel, at least 300 civilians were killed and dozens taken hostage. In the Palestinian territories, more than 300 Palestinians have been killed and about 2,000 injured as Israeli forces pounded Gaza with aerial bombings.

“Given the current security situation in Tel Aviv, Lufthansa is cancelling all flights to and from Tel Aviv up until and including Monday,” a spokesman for the German carrier told AFP.

Brussels Airlines, part of the Lufthansa group, also cancelled its Tel Aviv flights.

Air France, Spanish airline Iberia and Italy’s flag carrier ITA Airways also suspended services.

Air India cancelled two flights, one from New Delhi to Tel Aviv, and another from Tel Aviv to New Delhi, according to the news agency ANI.

“An Air India Flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 07 October 2023 and the return flight AI140 from Tel Aviv to Delhi has been cancelled in the interests and safety of our guests and crew. Passengers are being extended all support, as per their requirements,” an Air India representative said.

It was unclear how long the cancellation of flights to Tel Aviv would last. Several airlines including United Airlines and Air France, who announced immediate cancellations, were still offering online bookings for trips to Tel Aviv for flights scheduled for tomorrow (Monday, October 8).