- The June 2025 Iran-Israel war stranded 100,000 to 150,000 Israelis abroad and halted most flights for 12 days.
- Major airlines including Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Delta, and United suspended flights to Tel Aviv for weeks or months after the ceasefire.
- El Al reported $4 million in daily losses on days it could not operate flights during the conflict, but no official quarterly loss figures are confirmed.
The 12-day Iran-Israel war in June 2025 triggered a near-total shutdown of Ben Gurion Airport, leaving up to 150,000 Israelis stranded abroad and grounding fleets for nearly two weeks. Major international airlines, including Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Delta, and United, suspended flights to Tel Aviv, with some cancellations extending into August and September. El Al, Israel’s flag carrier, estimated $4 million in daily losses on days it could not operate, but no official quarterly loss figures are confirmed in public records.
Rescue operations began by June 19, with El Al and Arkia running limited one-way flights from cities like Athens, Larnaca, Rome, Paris, and New York. Despite the ceasefire taking effect on June 24, most foreign carriers kept Israel off their schedules for weeks, forcing Israeli airlines to shoulder the burden of repatriating citizens and residents.
While El Al and other Israeli carriers demanded government compensation for losses, there is no official record of a NIS 650 million ($180 million) relief package being approved or paid out. The Finance Ministry opposed compensating stranded passengers, and final decisions on airline support remained unresolved as of late June 2025.
The disruption at Ben Gurion Airport and the extended suspension of international flights have reshaped travel, insurance, and airline operations in Israel, with ripple effects for tourists, business travelers, and the aviation industry.
How the Iran-Israel War Shut Down Ben Gurion Airport
The conflict began on June 13, 2025, and lasted 12 days, with a ceasefire taking effect at 04:00 GMT on June 24. During this period, Ben Gurion Airport was effectively closed to most civilian flights, as airlines grounded fleets and rerouted aircraft to avoid Israeli airspace. The shutdown was not limited to direct missile threats; the broader security situation and government directives led to the halt in operations.
At the height of the conflict, between 100,000 and 150,000 Israelis were stranded abroad, and at least 40,000 tourists were stuck in the region. The closure of Ben Gurion Airport disrupted not only passenger travel but also cargo and business operations, with ripple effects across the Israeli economy.
For a detailed timeline of the airport shutdown and government warnings, see Israeli Airspace Shuts Down, Ben-Gurion Airport Halts Flights as Miri Regev Warns.
Which Airlines Suspended Flights and For How Long?
Major international airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv for varying periods:
- Air France, KLM, Air Europa, British Airways, ITA Airways, and AirBaltic canceled all flights to Tel Aviv until at least the end of June, with some extending cancellations into August and September.
- Lufthansa canceled flights to Beirut until June 30, Tel Aviv and Tehran until July 31, and Amman and Erbil until July 11.
- United paused flights to Tel Aviv through July 31 and halted daily Newark-Dubai service.
- Delta paused flights to Tel Aviv until the end of August.
These extended suspensions left Israeli airlines as the primary operators for rescue and repatriation flights. For ongoing updates on airline cancellations and route suspensions, refer to Flight cancellations to Israel continue after Ben Gurion Airport attack.
El Al’s Financial Losses: What Is Confirmed?
El Al, Israel’s largest airline, estimated $4 million in losses per day on days it could not operate flights during the conflict. However, there is no official record confirming Q2 2025 operating losses of $93 million or any specific quarterly loss figures in public filings or government statements.
The airline’s financial strain was compounded by the need to run rescue flights, absorb stranded passengers, and operate under ongoing security risks. El Al and other carriers called for government compensation, but as of late June 2025, no specific relief package had been approved or disbursed.
Rescue Flights and Repatriation: How Israelis Got Home
By June 19, 2025, El Al began operating limited one-way rescue flights from cities including Athens, Larnaca, Rome, Paris, and New York. Arkia also announced rescue flights from several European and US cities. These efforts focused on repatriating the estimated 150,000 Israelis stranded abroad during the conflict.
Despite these operations, many Israelis faced long waits, high ticket prices, and uncertainty about when regular service would resume. The Israeli government coordinated with airlines but did not approve compensation for stranded passengers, according to the Finance Ministry.
For more on the challenges faced by travelers and the evolving situation at Ben Gurion Airport, see Ben Gurion Airport Targeted: Travel Disruptions Amid Regional Conflict.
Insurance, Refunds, and Passenger Rights
Many travelers reported difficulties obtaining refunds or rebooking flights, especially with foreign carriers that suspended service for weeks or months. There is no verified data on insurance premiums for Tel Aviv routes doubling overnight, though industry experts warned of higher costs and stricter coverage terms for travel to Israel.
Passengers seeking refunds or compensation were often directed to airline policies, which varied by carrier and ticket type. The Israeli government did not approve direct compensation for stranded passengers, and the Finance Ministry opposed such measures.
Government Response and Unresolved Compensation Claims
El Al and other Israeli airlines demanded government compensation for losses tied to the conflict, but as of late June 2025, no official relief package had been approved. The Finance Ministry publicly opposed compensating stranded passengers, and final decisions on airline support remained pending.
Claims of a NIS 650 million ($180 million) government compensation package are not supported by official records. The situation remains fluid, with airlines and the government continuing negotiations over possible financial relief.
Practical Guidance for Travelers and Airlines
If you are planning travel to or from Israel, monitor airline announcements and government advisories closely. Expect ongoing disruptions, higher ticket prices, and limited route options, especially with many foreign carriers suspending service into August and September 2025.
For those stranded or seeking to return, prioritize booking with Israeli airlines, which have resumed limited operations and are running rescue flights from key hubs. Keep documentation of all travel expenses and communications with airlines, as future compensation policies may change.
Broader Implications for Israel’s Aviation and Travel Sector
The June 2025 conflict exposed the vulnerability of Israel’s aviation sector to regional instability. The extended shutdown of Ben Gurion Airport and the reluctance of foreign carriers to resume service have lasting effects on tourism, business travel, and airline finances.
Travelers should expect stricter insurance terms, fewer direct flights, and higher costs for the foreseeable future. Airlines face ongoing uncertainty about government support and the pace of recovery, with future conflicts likely to trigger similar disruptions.
For context on how airlines handle mass cancellations in other regions, see Ryanair Didn’t Cancel All Europe Flights on Christmas Day, Reports Say.
