Key Takeaways
• Houthi rebels warned international airlines to avoid Ben Gurion International Airport following a missile strike near Terminal 3 on May 4, 2025.
• Major airlines including Lufthansa, Air France, and United Airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv amid escalating Yemen-based threats.
• Air industry experts expect prolonged disruptions as Yemen’s Houthi rebels threaten ongoing missile and drone attacks until Israel changes Gaza policy.
International airlines received a clear warning today from Houthi rebels in Yemen: stay away from Ben Gurion International Airport. This latest message, sent by a senior Houthi official named Nasruddin Amer, marks the second threat in less than 24 hours. The warning includes a picture that looks very similar to the evacuation messages often given by the Israeli Defense Forces to cities near Yemen. The Houthi rebels said, “In the coming hours, Yemeni forces will carry out military operations against Ben Gurion and other Zionist airports.” Their reason for these actions is what they call the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and attacks that have taken place in Yemen.
With direct threats now being sent not only to Israel but also to airlines and their passengers, many people are wondering what this means for flights into and out of Israel, especially at Ben Gurion International Airport—the country’s largest and busiest travel hub.
What Happened at Ben Gurion International Airport?
On May 4, 2025, a missile coming from Yemen made it past Israel’s air defense systems and hit land close to Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion International Airport. Six people were hurt in the incident. The missile landed in a group of trees along a road a few hundred yards from the airport’s control tower. After the strike, the Houthi rebels took to social media to show off their attack, warning travelers and airlines that Ben Gurion International Airport was “no longer safe for air travel.”
For Israel 🇮🇱, and especially for people hoping to travel to or from the country, this event was a major shock. The airport is the main gateway for entry into and exit from Israel, so any threat—not to mention an actual attack—seriously upsets flight schedules and future travel plans.
Consequences for International Airlines
The strike quickly led to many foreign airlines stopping service to Tel Aviv. Some of the world’s biggest names in aviation reacted right away. Major airlines that paused their flights after the missile strike were:
- Lufthansa Group, which covers SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines
- Air France
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Wizz Air
- British Airways
- Air India
- ITA Airways
- Ryanair
- LOT Polish Airlines
Some airlines decided to stop flying to Israel only for a short time, but others chose to extend cancellations beyond the first week of May. United Airlines, for example, said it wouldn’t return to Tel Aviv until at least May 8.
Even now, with these threats continuing, most foreign airlines show no signs of quickly coming back. Aviation industry experts are warning that these suspensions could last much longer. Some fear flights may not return even for the peak summer travel season unless Israel’s government can prove it is once again safe to fly in and out of the country. This sentiment has been echoed by both airline leaders and travel experts, who say that faith in the safety of Ben Gurion International Airport and the country’s skies will not bounce back overnight.
Current Yemen Threats to Airlines and Passengers
Since the missile attack, the warnings from Yemen 🇾🇪 have only gotten stronger and more specific. The Houthi rebels are no longer only warning Israel; now, they’re telling international airlines to keep away from Israeli airports. Nasruddin Amer, the Houthi spokesperson, wrote online that “all airlines currently operating at Israeli airports should depart immediately,” and that people should evacuate before new strikes begin.
Yemeni officials have made clear that their aim is to impose an “air blockade” at Ben Gurion International Airport. This blockade, they say, will last as long as Israel keeps up its military actions in Gaza. Amer and other Houthi officials have stressed that “the path of Yemeni missiles and drones towards Ben Gurion Airport and the skies of the occupied territories is a fixed path”—in other words, these attacks will keep happening unless something changes.
The Houthis are also warning that the blockades and attacks won’t be limited to Ben Gurion International Airport. According to Yemeni sources, “the Yemeni armed forces are determined to blockade the Zionist regime from the air, and this is not limited to Ben Gurion Airport.” They’ve promised to target other airports and threaten other locations as well.
How This Is Changing International Air Travel
The impact on people trying to travel to and from Israel is already huge and is likely to get even bigger. After the attack in early May, almost every large airline from Europe, North America, and Asia stopped flights to Tel Aviv. Passengers had to cope with canceled flights, uncertainty, and higher ticket prices for the few remaining options. Airline websites show fewer flights and sometimes none at all for days or even weeks.
Travelers now face these issues:
- Less choice of flights to and from Israel
- Higher ticket prices due to limited airline options
- Trouble rebooking or getting refunds from their airlines
- Long waits at airports or being stuck in a country unexpectedly
People who need to travel for important reasons, like work, medical care, or family visits, find themselves in a tough spot. Some have had to reroute their trips through nearby countries and faced long, expensive journeys as a result.
Airlines, for their part, say they simply cannot risk flying into a war zone or even near one. The safety of passengers, flight crews, and planes comes first. As long as missiles are being fired at or near Ben Gurion International Airport, most airlines will keep their distance. Most countries’ air safety rules say a carrier must suspend operations if there is a direct risk to planes or passengers.
Reactions From the Travel Industry and Government
The government of Israel has tried to reassure travelers and airlines that moves are being made to improve security. However, the missile attack itself—the first time a missile has hit inside the grounds of Ben Gurion International Airport—made many people question the airport’s safety. Airline companies want to see real proof that things have changed before they put their passengers and staff at risk again.
Aviation experts told news outlets that it will take a long road to bring airlines back. “Confidence in Ben Gurion International Airport’s security and the country’s airspace must be rebuilt,” one expert said. They pointed out that even before this latest attack, airlines were already worried after a series of missile threats and attempted drone assaults from the direction of Yemen.
Some airline officials have suggested that only a real change in the conflict, or major new security precautions at Ben Gurion International Airport, will convince carriers to return. Until they believe planes and travelers are truly protected from threats like the Houthi missile strike, most international flights will likely stay suspended.
Broader Impact on Israeli Society
For people living in Israel, these disruptions go much further than just canceled vacation or business trips. Israel’s connection to the outside world depends on Ben Gurion International Airport, since it borders few neighboring countries with which it has stable and open borders. Most travel in and out happens through the airport.
Students heading abroad for studies, people traveling for medical care, families trying to reunite, and those with business interests across the world—everyone feels the effect. Those who need to leave the country for urgent reasons may have only a handful of expensive, complicated options left.
Business leaders share the concern, with some saying that continued flight suspensions could harm the economy by making it harder for foreign investors and travelers to visit. Tourism—a major source of income for Israel—has already suffered major setbacks.
Yemen’s Motivations and Statements
The Houthi rebels have linked these attacks and threats to Israel’s actions in Gaza and what they see as attacks on Yemen by Israel or its allies. They argue that as long as these activities continue, their “air blockade” will also continue.
Recent statements from senior Houthi officials have been very clear: Ben Gurion International Airport, and even other Israeli airports, are considered fair targets. “In the coming hours, Yemeni forces will carry out military operations against Ben Gurion,” Nasruddin Amer announced publicly. Amer and other officials have also mirrored Israeli evacuation tactics by sending out their own warnings, reinforcing the idea that threats will continue.
Analysis: How Safe Is Air Travel in the Region?
After the missile attack and ongoing threats, the skies above Ben Gurion International Airport are far from calm. Industry experts note that airlines rely on both government warnings and their own risk assessments when deciding to operate flights. When a missile strikes inside the grounds of a major airport, the consequences are shared globally. As explained in VisaVerge.com’s recent investigation, the longer these threats last, the more complicated it gets for airlines, insurers, and travelers.
The Israeli government now faces tough choices. It will need to further boost airport security, share updates, and try to reassure the world that it is again safe to travel to and from Israel. However, the Houthis have said their missile and drone campaigns will continue.
What Should Travelers and Airlines Do Now?
Anyone considering a trip to or from Israel should check with their airline and watch updates from both Israeli and international authorities. Since airlines will not risk passenger or crew safety, they may make sudden changes to flights even at the last minute. Travelers should prepare for delays, long layovers, or changing plans at short notice.
Airlines, meanwhile, have to keep checking the risks and work closely with aviation officials. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which provides global aviation safety updates, is one resource airlines may consult. You can find more about official flight safety warnings at the Israel Airports Authority.
Looking Forward
With the Houthi rebels in Yemen keeping up threats and missile attacks on Ben Gurion International Airport, the future for international flights to Israel remains very uncertain. Airlines are waiting to see if the Israeli government can show real, lasting improvements in safety. Passengers, meanwhile, are hoping for stability so they can resume their travel plans.
For now, the situation is unstable, and anyone planning travel involving Israel should keep a close eye on updates from airlines and official government sources. It may be some time before Ben Gurion International Airport, once a busy hub of global travel, regains the confidence of passengers and the world’s airlines.
Learn Today
Houthi Rebels → An armed group from Yemen known for targeting regional opponents, including Israel, and responsible for recent missile attacks on Israeli airports.
Ben Gurion International Airport → Israel’s main international airport, near Tel Aviv, which serves as the country’s primary hub for global air travel.
Air Blockade → A military or rebel-imposed restriction preventing aircraft from entering or leaving a specific airspace, often during conflict.
Aviation Industry Experts → Professionals who analyze safety, operations, and risk factors affecting airlines and global air travel amid conflict or instability.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) → A United Nations agency responsible for setting global aviation safety standards and providing conflict zone risk updates to airlines.
This Article in a Nutshell
After Houthi missile strikes near Ben Gurion International Airport, major airlines suspended flights over safety concerns. International air travel remains uncertain with ongoing threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Passengers face cancellations, higher fares, and limited options while authorities scramble to boost airport security and restore confidence in flying to Israel.
— By VisaVerge.com
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