More European airlines announce cancellation of flights to Israel over Hezbollah, Iranian threats of aggression

Foreign Ministry conducts survey of Israelis living abroad to assist them in returning to the country

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A growing number of airline companies, largely European, recently canceled flights to and from Israel over the next few days due to fear of an escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, and an anticipated Iranian retaliation for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh.

Last week, several airlines, including Delta and United Airlines, announced flight cancellations. Over the weekend, the number of airlines canceling flights expanded as various European carriers also suspended all flights to and from Israel.

At the same time, most Israeli-owned airline companies continue to operate as normal, as the Israeli government maintains that the airways are safe.

Israeli companies Arkia and Israir announced that flights operating on leased aircraft have been canceled, but all flights using the companies’ own aircraft will continue as usual.

On Saturday evening, El Al announced that it would increase flights from Athens, Greece, and Larnaca in Cyprus to compensate for flights canceled by other airlines. El Al also announced a uniform price for those additional flights as it attempts to help Israelis stranded in those locations because of cancellations.

Despite the recent spate of flight cancellation, several European airlines, including BlueBird Airways, Air France and Ryanair continue to operate flights to and from Israel.

Notably, FlyDubai, despite canceling a few night flights, has maintained its normal schedule for Israeli passengers.

Below is the list of airlines that have canceled flights as of Sunday morning, presented in alphabetical order:

Aegean Airlines (Greece) - canceled flights through Aug. 6.
airBaltic - canceled flights until Aug. 4.
Air Europa - canceled all flights to Israel from Aug. 4-7.
Air India - Flight cancellation until Aug. 8.
Austrian Airlines canceled all flights to Israel until Aug. 9.
Brussels Airlines canceled all flights to Israel until Aug. 9.
Croatia Airlines canceled all flights to Israel until Aug. 4.
Delta Air Lines canceled flights until Aug. 6.
Eurowings canceled all flights to Israel until Aug. 9.
Iberia Express - canceled flights from Israel to Madrid on Sunday and Monday.
ITA Airways (ITA) – All flights canceled until Aug. 6.
LOT Polish Airlines (LOT) flights canceled indefinitely.
Lufthansa canceled all flights to Israel until Aug. 9.
Swiss International canceled all flights to Israel until Aug. 9.
United Airlines canceled all flights until further notice.
Vueling (Spain) canceled its flights between Barcelona and Israel in both directions through Aug. 4.
Wizz Air (Hungary) canceled its flights to Israel until Aug. 4.

With the start of a new week on Monday, several other European airlines are expected to announce cancellations of flights to Israel.

Following the cancellations, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a questionnaire for Israeli citizens residing abroad who wish to return to Israel, in order to receive updates about flight options based on their location.

The questionnaire asked citizens information about their current location and whether they had already experienced flight cancellations, which airlines had canceled their flights, and if the airlines had contacted the citizens with any information about future flight options.