Key Takeaways
• Most international airlines suspend flights to Israel until June or later due to security risks near Ben Gurion Airport.
• United Airlines restarts New York-Tel Aviv flights on June 5, 2025, after detailed operational assessments.
• Travelers face soaring ticket prices, long layovers, and thousands stranded abroad amid ongoing travel disruptions.
International Airlines Extend Flight Suspensions to Israel Amid Security Fears
As of June 4, 2025, international travel to Israel faces another wave of disruption. Many airlines have extended their suspension of flights to Israel, while only a handful are cautiously resuming service. This ongoing uncertainty follows a series of security incidents, most recently a Houthi missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international gateway. The situation has left thousands of travelers stranded, driven up ticket prices, and raised questions about the future of air travel to and from Israel.
Who Is Flying to Israel—and Who Isn’t?
The current landscape for flights to Israel is a patchwork. Some airlines are restarting routes, but most major international carriers are still holding back. Here’s a breakdown of the latest status:
Airlines Resuming Flights to Israel
- United Airlines will restart flights from New York to Tel Aviv on June 5, 2025. The airline says it made this decision after a “detailed assessment of operational considerations for the region.”
- Transavia, a Dutch low-cost airline, resumed flights on June 3, 2025.
- airBaltic, Latvia’s national airline, is scheduled to return on June 6, 2025.
- KLM, the Netherlands’ flag carrier, resumed flights on June 1, 2025.
Airlines Currently Operating
A small group of airlines have either maintained or already resumed their Israel routes:
- Delta Air Lines
- Aegean Airlines
- Air France
- Ethiopian Airlines
Airlines Extending Suspensions
Most international airlines are still not flying to Israel. Here are the latest updates:
- The Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings): Suspended until June 22, 2025
- ITA Airways (Italy’s national airline): Suspended through June 15, 2025
- Iberia Express (Spanish low-cost airline): Suspended through June 30, 2025
- Air India: Suspended until June 18, 2025
- EasyJet: Postponed return until the end of June 2025
- Ryanair and British Airways: Both delayed resumption until July 31, 2025
- Air Seychelles: Suspended through the end of July 2025
- Air Canada: Delayed return until September 2025
This means that for many travelers, options for direct flights to Israel remain extremely limited. Most available flights are operated by Israeli airlines or the few foreign carriers that have resumed service.
Why Are Airlines Suspending Flights to Israel?
The most recent wave of suspensions began after a Houthi ballistic missile from Yemen struck near Ben Gurion Airport on May 4, 2025. The missile landed in a grove of trees close to Terminal 3, just a few hundred meters from the airport’s control tower. While there were no reported injuries, the incident highlighted the ongoing security risks facing flights to Israel.
In response, Israel launched airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, including the port of Hodeida and the airport in Sanaa. Despite these actions, most airlines have remained cautious. The risk of further attacks, especially on or near Ben Gurion Airport, has made many carriers reluctant to resume flights.
This is not the first time airlines have suspended flights to Israel due to security concerns. Since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, the region has seen repeated rocket and drone attacks from Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, and Iraq, as well as two large missile barrages from Iran. Each incident has forced airlines to reassess the safety of flying to Israel.
How Are Travelers Affected?
The ongoing suspensions have had a major impact on travelers, both those trying to leave Israel and those hoping to visit. Here are some of the main effects:
- Thousands of Israelis are stranded abroad, struggling to find flights home. With so few airlines operating, many have had to take long, expensive detours through third countries.
- Ticket prices have soared. With Israeli airlines like El Al holding a near-monopoly on some routes, prices for flights to Israel have reached record highs.
- Layovers are longer and connections are fewer. Travelers often face complicated itineraries, with multiple stops and long waits, just to reach their destination.
- Inbound tourism has dropped. Many global tour operators and individual travelers are putting off trips to Israel due to safety concerns and the lack of direct flights.
For those who must travel, the experience is stressful and costly. Some travelers have reported paying double or triple the usual fare, only to face last-minute cancellations or rerouted journeys.
Legal and Regulatory Challenges for Airlines
The repeated disruptions have also created legal headaches for airlines. Under Israel’s 2012 Aviation Services Law, airlines are required to compensate passengers for cancellations and delays, including providing hotel stays and advance notice. But many airlines argue that these rules were designed for normal times, not for the unpredictable disruptions caused by war.
A group of foreign airlines has petitioned Israel’s Transportation Minister, Miri Regev, for emergency legal protections. Their requests include:
- Shortening the required passenger notification period from 14 days to just 3 days
- Reducing the number of hotel nights airlines must provide to stranded passengers
- Exempting airlines from financial compensation beyond simple ticket refunds for flights canceled during the national emergency
Airlines say these changes are necessary to avoid huge financial losses and to make it possible to resume flights to Israel more quickly when conditions allow.
Background: A Pattern of Disruption
The current situation is part of a larger pattern that began in October 2023. After the Hamas-led attack, many airlines suspended flights to Israel. Some resumed service in early 2025, only to suspend flights again after the May 4 missile strike.
For example, United Airlines had only just restarted flights from New York to Tel Aviv in March 2025. Delta Air Lines returned on April 1, and British Airways resumed flights on April 5. But the renewed security threats forced these and other airlines to reconsider.
American Airlines, meanwhile, had already removed its Tel Aviv routes from the summer 2025 schedule, citing ongoing security concerns. This left travelers with even fewer options for flights to Israel.
What Does This Mean for Immigration and Mobility?
For immigrants, students, business travelers, and families with ties to Israel, the flight suspensions have created real hardship. Many people rely on regular flights to maintain family connections, pursue education, or conduct business. The lack of reliable air service has disrupted these plans and added uncertainty to an already stressful situation.
Key impacts include:
- Immigrants and dual citizens: Many people with Israeli citizenship or family in Israel have found it difficult or impossible to travel home. Some have missed important family events, while others have been stranded abroad.
- Students: International students studying in Israel, or Israelis studying abroad, have faced challenges getting to and from their universities. Some have had to delay their studies or make expensive, complicated travel arrangements.
- Business travelers: Companies with operations in Israel have struggled to move staff in and out of the country. This has affected everything from high-tech startups to multinational corporations.
- Tourists: The drop in inbound tourism has hurt Israel’s economy, especially businesses that depend on foreign visitors.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing uncertainty around flights to Israel is likely to continue until airlines feel confident that the security situation has stabilized. This means travelers should be prepared for continued disruptions and should check with airlines for the latest updates before making plans.
What Should Travelers Do?
If you need to travel to or from Israel in the coming weeks or months, here are some steps you can take:
- Check airline websites regularly for the latest updates on flight schedules. Airlines may change their plans at short notice.
- Book with flexible tickets that allow changes or refunds in case of cancellation.
- Consider alternative routes through third countries, but be aware that these may involve long layovers and higher costs.
- Monitor official government travel advisories for the latest safety information. The U.S. Department of State provides up-to-date travel alerts for Israel and the region. You can find the latest information on their Israel Travel Advisory page.
- If stranded, contact your airline and embassy for assistance. Many embassies have set up hotlines or special services for citizens affected by flight disruptions.
For those planning to immigrate to Israel or visit for family reasons, it’s important to stay informed and flexible. The situation can change quickly, and what’s true today may not be true tomorrow.
Ben Gurion Airport: Israel’s Main International Gateway
Ben Gurion Airport, located near Tel Aviv, is Israel’s largest and busiest airport. It serves as the main entry and exit point for most international travelers. The airport has strong security measures, but the recent missile strike shows that even the most secure facilities can be vulnerable in times of conflict.
The airport has remained open throughout the crisis, but with so many airlines suspending flights, its terminals are much quieter than usual. Israeli airlines like El Al have continued to operate, but the lack of competition has driven up prices and made it harder for travelers to find seats.
The Role of United Airlines and Other Key Carriers
United Airlines’ decision to resume flights to Israel is significant. As one of the largest U.S. carriers, United’s return could encourage other airlines to follow suit if the security situation improves. However, the airline has made it clear that it will continue to monitor conditions closely and may adjust its schedule if new threats emerge.
Other airlines, such as Delta Air Lines and Air France, have also resumed limited service. But most European and Asian carriers are still waiting. The Lufthansa Group, which includes several major European airlines, has pushed its suspension out to at least June 22, 2025. Air Canada has delayed its return until September.
This cautious approach reflects the ongoing uncertainty. Airlines must weigh the safety of their crews and passengers against the demand for flights to Israel. Many are also concerned about the legal and financial risks of operating in a conflict zone.
Looking Ahead: When Will Flights Return to Normal?
It’s difficult to predict when flights to Israel will return to normal. Much depends on the security situation, especially around Ben Gurion Airport. If attacks continue, airlines are likely to keep suspensions in place. If the situation stabilizes, more carriers may resume service.
Travelers should expect continued disruptions for at least the next few months. Airlines will likely restore routes gradually, starting with the most important connections. Prices may remain high until more competition returns.
For now, the best advice is to stay informed, be flexible, and plan for possible changes. If you must travel, book with airlines that have clear policies on cancellations and refunds. Keep in touch with your embassy and check official travel advisories regularly.
Practical Guidance for Affected Travelers
- Stay updated: Airline schedules can change quickly. Sign up for alerts from your airline and monitor news from Ben Gurion Airport.
- Know your rights: If your flight is canceled, you may be entitled to a refund or rebooking. Check the airline’s policies and Israel’s Aviation Services Law for details.
- Plan for delays: Allow extra time for travel and be prepared for longer layovers or alternative routes.
- Keep documents handy: Have your passport, visa, and any necessary immigration forms ready. If you need to check entry requirements, visit the Israel Population and Immigration Authority for official information.
Conclusion: Ongoing Uncertainty for Flights to Israel
The situation for flights to Israel remains fluid. While some airlines like United Airlines are resuming service, most major carriers are still holding back due to security concerns. Ben Gurion Airport continues to operate, but with fewer flights and higher prices.
Travelers, immigrants, and businesses must adapt to these challenges. By staying informed and flexible, you can reduce the stress of travel during this uncertain time. For the latest updates, check official airline websites, government travel advisories, and trusted sources like VisaVerge.com.
As the region’s security situation evolves, so too will the options for flights to Israel. For now, patience and preparation are key for anyone planning to travel to or from the country.
Learn Today
Ben Gurion Airport → Israel’s largest international airport, serving as the main entry and exit point for travelers.
Flight Suspension → Temporary halt of airline flights due to safety, political, or operational concerns.
Houthi Missile Strike → Attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting areas near Ben Gurion Airport in May 2025.
Aviation Services Law → Israeli law requiring airlines to compensate passengers for cancellations and delays.
Immigration Authority → Israeli government agency overseeing entry, stay, and exit of foreign nationals and citizens.
This Article in a Nutshell
Flight suspensions to Israel persist after a missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport. United Airlines resumes flights June 5. Travelers confront costly fares, limited routes, and extended delays as airlines cautiously navigate security threats in the region, impacting immigration and tourism mobility throughout 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
