easyJet cancels UK to Israel flights, Wizz Air and British Airways give updates

by AvioBlog · 16 Aprile 2024

easyJet has extended the suspension of its entire program of flights to and from Israel for a further six months following Iran’s missile and drone barrage aimed at the country on April 13, 2024. The low-cost carrier has announced that it will not resume its Israel operations before late October 2024 at the earliest.

From the UK, easyJet previously served Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) from London-Gatwick (LGW), London-Luton (LTN), and Manchester (MAN) Airports.

“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 until October 27, 2024,” said a spokesperson for easyJet. “Customers booked to fly on this route up to this date are being offered options including a full refund.”

Fellow low-cost carrier Wizz Air announced it resumed its flights to Tel Aviv on Tuesday after canceling them on Sunday and Monday “following the ongoing escalation in the region” but is continuing to monitor the situation. The airline has warned that its passengers may experience some schedule changes as a result of the ongoing tensions.

“The airline is closely monitoring the situation with the relevant authorities and is keeping its passengers informed of all schedule changes,” said a Wizz Air spokesperson. “The safety and security for our passengers, crew, and aircraft remains our number one priority. We hope that normality comes back to the region soon.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for British Airways, which operates four daily return flights per week between London-Heathrow and Tel Aviv, said, “Our flights are continuing to operate as planned and we continue to monitor the situation.”

Temporary airspace closures affected the wider Middle East region over the weekend of April 13 and 14, 2024, where many airlines diverted their flights or canceled services as a result. Although most of these airspace closures have since been lifted, airlines worldwide remain on high alert as the wider Israel/Iran situation remains volatile.

Qantas has decided to reroute its non-stop Perth to London flights via Singapore to take on additional fuel as a result of amending the flight’s route – a change that will prevail for the foreseeable future, according to the carrier.

In February 2024, Virgin Atlantic extended its suspension of Israel flights up to September 4, 2024. However, several other major airlines, including US carriers Delta and United, have resumed Israel flights recently after suspending them following the Hamas attack in October 2024.