European airlines have suspended flights to Israel’s Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv after rockets launched from Yemen landed within the airport’s perimeter on Sunday (4 May).
A hypersonic ballistic missile launched by Yemeni-based Houthi rebels landed close to Ben Gurion’s main terminal injuring six people.
Although the airport was only closed for around 30 minutes on Sunday, many international airlines have suspended services to Tel Aviv in the wake of the attack.
Lufthansa Group’s airlines, which also include Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines, have currently cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including 11 May.
“Affected guests will be notified and rebooked on alternative flights, subject to availability,” added Lufthansa in a statement.
Meanwhile British Airways has suspended Tel Aviv flights up to and including 7 May and Air France has made a similar move through 13 May.
Budget carrier Wizz Air’s flights to Tel Aviv are suspended through 8 May, while United Airlines will not operate flights to the Israeli airport until after 11 May.
Israeli airline El Al, which continues to operate services to and from Tel Aviv, said it was “committed to assisting passengers whose flights to Israel have been cancelled”.
This includes offering special one-way fares to Israel from European destinations such as London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Athens and Larnaca.
Most international carriers cancelled services to Tel Aviv following the Hamas terrorist attacks in October 2023 with suspensions being regularly extended until a ceasefire was declared in January 2025, which led to many airlines finally resuming services to Tel Aviv.
Last week, Virgin Atlantic announced it was cancelling its route between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv. The UK carrier had yet to resume flights to Israel after the Hamas attacks 18 months ago and its restart had previously been pushed back to the winter 2025-26 season.
"After careful consideration, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel our services between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv,” said the airline in a statement.
"We will continue to serve Tel Aviv as the only UK airline to have a partnership with El Al, Israel’s national carrier, on services between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion and London Heathrow."