In response to the intensifying military actions and heightened security concerns in Israel, British Airways has announced the suspension of its flights to and from Tel Aviv. This decision was made public on Wednesday, following an incident in which one of the airline’s flights, en route from London’s Heathrow Airport to Tel Aviv, was turned around mid-air due to security apprehensions.
The ongoing military escalation between Israel and Hamas, which was triggered by a weekend attack by the latter, has led to growing instability in the region. Israel has continued its airstrikes on the Gaza Strip while also conducting strikes in southern Lebanon, as Palestinian militant groups persist in launching rockets.
British Airways released a statement emphasizing their unwavering commitment to passenger safety. It read, “Safety is always our highest priority, and following the latest assessment of the situation, we’re suspending our flights to and from Tel Aviv.” They also expressed regret for the inconvenience to their customers and offered alternative options, including full refunds or rebooking with another airline or British Airways at a later date.
The situation remains dynamic, and British Airways is closely monitoring developments in the region. Several other major airlines, including Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, and major U.S. carriers, have already suspended their flights to Tel Aviv since the commencement of hostilities by Hamas last Saturday.
It is important to note that British Airways’ counterpart, Virgin Atlantic, continues to operate flights between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv. As fears of a broader regional conflict persist and the possibility of an Israeli ground incursion into Gaza looms, the death toll has risen significantly in Israel, exceeding 900 casualties, marking it as one of the deadliest attacks in the nation’s 75-year history. On the other side, Gaza authorities have reported 765 fatalities, while Israel’s army has reported the discovery of approximately 1,500 militants’ bodies. The situation continues to evolve, and international airlines are closely monitoring developments before resuming normal flight operations to Tel Aviv.