Washington, D.C. : In the wake of Saturday’s surprise attack by Hamas, which claimed more than 1,200 lives, major U.S. airlines and an increasing number of international carriers have halted their services to Israel. The country, now under a declared state of war, is witnessing a growing wave of suspensions in air travel operations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an updated Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) urging U.S. airlines to exercise “extreme caution” when navigating Israeli airspace. Delta Air Lines confirmed the cancellation of its Tel Aviv (TLV) flights for the week, emphasizing ongoing monitoring of the situation. United Airlines operated limited flights over the weekend but has suspended further operations until conditions permit. American Airlines, too, has temporarily ceased its operations to and from Tel Aviv, with a focus on passenger safety and security.
Pilots’ Union Takes a Stand
The pilots’ union for American Airlines, Allied Pilots Association, has issued a directive instructing its members to refrain from flying to Israel. Captain Ed Sicher, the president, emphasized the importance of not endangering flight crews and passengers amidst the conflict.
Impact on Travelers
Impacted travelers are being offered flexible rebooking options by major U.S. airlines. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines have issued advisories for passengers scheduled to travel to or from Tel Aviv, extending through Saturday, October 14. The advisory from United Airlines also includes flights to and from Amman, Jordan.
Rising Travel Trends
Despite the conflict, Middle East travel has seen a significant rise, with 3.1 million Americans traveling to the region in 2022, marking a 23% increase since 2019. In the first half of 2023, over 1.8 million Americans traveled to the Middle East, indicating a 31% surge from the previous year. This escalating trend underscores the region’s growing appeal for U.S. travelers.
Israel’s Tourism Outlook
Israel had high hopes for its tourism sector in 2023, aiming to surpass the incoming tourism record set in 2019. Last year, the country welcomed 2.7 million international tourists, injecting $4 billion into the economy. However, the current conflict has posed significant challenges to achieving this goal, casting uncertainty on the nation’s tourism prospects.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.
