In response to the escalating situation in the Middle East, EasyJet has suspended all its flights from the UK to Israel for over six months. The airline will not resume services to Tel Aviv until October 27, and is offering refunds to affected passengers.
This decision extends the previous suspension, which was set to end on April 21, through the entire summer season. The Luton-based carrier is responding to what it describes as the “continued evolving situation” in Israel, reflecting widespread caution in the aviation sector.
A spokesman for EasyJet stated, “As a result of the continued evolving situation in Israel, EasyJet has now taken the decision to suspend its flights to Tel Aviv for the remainder of the summer season. Customers booked to fly on this route up to this date are being offered options, including a full refund.”
The announcement coincides with reports of Iran’s recent unprecedented attack on Israel, significantly affecting regional air traffic. A graphical representation of air traffic at 1 AM on Sunday showed a marked decrease in aircraft over Iran and neighboring countries.
Several other airlines have also adjusted their operations in response to the situation:
- Lufthansa: Suspended flights to Beirut and Tehran, resuming at least by Thursday.
- KLM and WizzAir: Have restarted flights to and from Tel Aviv.
- Finnair: Suspended operations in Iranian airspace indefinitely.
- SAS: Rerouted flights between Copenhagen and Bangkok.
- Qantas Airways: Temporarily rerouted flights between Perth and London to include a stop in Singapore.
- Air India: Temporarily halted flights to Tel Aviv.
- Emirates Airlines: Resumed scheduled flights to and from Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
- Qatar Airways: Resumed services to Amman, Beirut, and Baghdad.
The aviation industry is experiencing significant disruptions, comparable to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, according to Mark Zee of Ops Group. This includes major rerouting and cancellations impacting numerous carriers and complicating travel between Europe and Asia.
In light of these developments, travel experts advise passengers to stay informed through their airlines and prepare for potential delays or cancellations. As the situation evolves, further adjustments to flight schedules and operations are anticipated.
