American Airlines halts Tel Aviv flights until April 2025

The suspension of flights to Israel by American Airlines reflects growing security concerns in the Middle East

JERUSALEM:

American Airlines has suspended all flights to and from Israel until April 2025, as reported by Israeli media. This decision is linked to the escalating regional tensions due to Israel’s ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in over 40,000 deaths and 92,000 injuries since 7 October last year.

Israel's public broadcaster, KAN, stated that the airline had extended its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport without providing specific reasons for the long-term halt. American Airlines joins several other major carriers, including United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, in suspending flights to Israel. As of 7 August, 20 foreign airlines had ceased operations to and from Israel.

The country remains on high military alert due to concerns about possible retaliatory attacks from Iran, following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on 31 July. Although Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of the assassination, Israeli authorities have neither confirmed nor denied involvement. Additionally, Hezbollah has vowed retaliation following the killing of its senior commander, Fouad Shukr, in an airstrike in Beirut on 30 July.

Currently, the American Airlines website does not specify when flights to Tel Aviv will resume, with no precise date offered for the resumption of services.