Air France has announced a further extension of its flight cancellations to Israel, now lasting until November 26. This decision means that passengers hoping to travel with Air France to or from Israel will need to seek alternative arrangements for the near future. Italian carrier ITA Airways has also prolonged its suspension of flights to Israel, with cancellations now stretching until January 13, 2025, indicating a longer-term concern affecting air travel to the region.
These announcements follow closely after incidents involving Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans in Amsterdam, which prompted Israel’s National Security Council to advise against the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team traveling to Bologna, Italy, for a Euroleague match. This backdrop of heightened security concerns and travel advisories is impacting traveler confidence and airline operations significantly.
Ben Gurion Airport Departures and Arrivals Board Displaying Flight Information
The ongoing flight disruptions raise questions about the broader impact on travel to Israel. Travel agents in Israel are reporting a decrease in demand for flights to European destinations, particularly Amsterdam, and an increase in vacation cancellations, at least in the short term. This hesitancy among travelers, coupled with the airlines’ decisions to extend cancellations, suggests a concerning trend for the resumption of regular air travel to Israel. The economic implications for both airlines and the Israeli tourism sector are potentially significant as these disruptions continue.
ITA Airways’ decision to extend cancellations into January 2025 aligns with a growing number of airlines that have decided to suspend flights to Israel for an extended period. Wizz Air and KLM have also halted flights until at least January 2025. Furthermore, major carriers like Delta, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and easyJet have indicated they will not resume flights before March or April 2025. Airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada, Air India, and Ryanair have yet to announce any dates for when they will restart their routes to Israel, leaving significant uncertainty in the market.
The continued flight cancellations by Air France and other major airlines highlight the ongoing concerns surrounding travel to Israel. Passengers planning to fly with Air France to Israel should monitor for further updates and consider alternative travel plans given the current situation and extended cancellation period.
Published by Globes, Israel business news – en.globes.co.il – on November 10, 2024.
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