EasyJet Grounds UK Flights to Israel Until October Amid Middle East Turmoil
EasyJet has slammed the brakes on all UK flights to Israel for more than six months. The budget airline will keep its Tel Aviv route suspended until October 27, offering refunds to passengers caught up in the chaos.
This move extends an earlier suspension initially ending April 21, now covering the entire summer. EasyJet cites the “continued evolving situation” in Israel as the reason, mirroring wider caution across the aviation industry.
“As a result of the continued evolving situation in Israel, EasyJet has now taken the decision to suspend its flights to Tel Aviv for the remainder of the summer season. Customers booked to fly on this route up to this date are being offered options, including a full refund,” a spokesman confirmed.
Regional Air Traffic Disrupted After Iran’s Unprecedented Strike
The announcement follows reports of Iran launching a major attack on Israel, causing a sharp plunge in regional air traffic. Early Sunday flights over Iran and neighbouring airspace dropped dramatically, grounding many planes and triggering ripple effects across routes.
Other Airlines Scramble to Adjust Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
- Lufthansa: Suspended flights to Beirut, set to resume by Thursday.
- KLM & WizzAir: Have cautiously restarted Tel Aviv flights.
- Finnair: Indefinitely banned flying over Iranian airspace.
- SAS: Rerouted Copenhagen-Bangkok flights.
- Qantas Airways: Detoured Perth-London services via Singapore.
- Air India: Temporarily halted Tel Aviv flights.
- Emirates Airlines: Resumed flights to Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
- 1 Airways: Back in the skies to Amman, Beirut, and Baghdad.
Travel Chaos Reminiscent of Post-9/11, Experts Warn
The aviation industry faces turmoil comparable to the aftermath of 9/11, warns Ops Group expert Mark Zee. Flight cancellations and major reroutes between Europe and Asia are disrupting travel plans worldwide.
Travel pros urge passengers to stay glued to airline updates and brace for delays or cancellations as the volatile situation continues to unfold.
