Iran’s Entry Into Gulf Conflict Impacts Travel

16.04.2024 - 22:00 / travelpulse.com / El Al / Rich Thomaselli

Update: April 15, 2024, at 9:00 PM ET 

United Airlines has now announced it will halt flights to Tel Aviv, Israel. 

"We continue to closely monitor the situation and will make decisions on upcoming flights with a focus on the safety of our customers and crews," the airline said. 

Update: April 15, 2024, at 8:30 AM ET

As Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel, airlines from around the world that serve Europe and Asia are being forced to alter their routes Monday. 

According to Reuters.com, Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon reopened their airspaces on Sunday, but many carriers are still hesitant to travel through the region.

In Europe, KLM canceled all flights to Tel Aviv until Tuesday, and Britain's easyJet paused operations indefinitely. In North America, Air Canada canceled flights to Israel on Monday and warned of long delays and further cancellations.

As for the United States, United Airlines canceled Sunday's planned flight from Newark to Tel Aviv. American Airlines is also waiving change fees on travel to Israel through October 28, 2024.

Original Text

Iran’s apparent entry into the Gulf conflict with a Saturday night missile and drone attack on Israel has impacted travel.

The United States issued a travel advisory to Israel, and several airports and airlines serving Israel, including Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, have had delays or cancellations, notably El Al, Wizz Air out of London, Air France, Iberia, and Air India.

Officials in Israel said the country’s airspace has since reopened as of Sunday morning, although the main airport in Tehran, Iran, will be closed until Monday. Flight schedules from and to Tel Aviv will be affected, and travelers should check with their respective airlines.

"El Al will continue to operate as much as possible to preserve the air bridge to and from Israel," it said in a statement.

The airline had canceled 15 flights to Europe, Dubai, and Moscow, which were scheduled for Sunday, while flights that had taken off from Bangkok and Phuket were forced to return. 

El Al's flights to London, Frankfurt, Berlin, Bucharest, Athens, Paris, and Rome, as well as Ethiopian Airlines flight to Addis Ababa, were able to take off.

As of Sunday morning, there have been no further attacks and no retribution from Israel.

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