Edited by: TJVNews.com

Since the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, carried out by Hamas in Israel, the three largest US airlines—Delta, United, and American—have suspended direct flights to Tel Aviv. According to a report in The New York Post, this decision has had far-reaching implications, not only affecting air travel costs but also raising questions about the strategic and economic consequences for Israel. Critics argue that the suspension plays into the hands of Israel’s regional adversaries, most notably Iran, as the lack of American carriers has led to a near-monopoly for Israel’s national airline, El Al, and skyrocketing fares for travelers.

The decision by Delta, United, and American Airlines to halt flights to Israel following the Hamas-led massacre came amid heightened security concerns. Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, the country’s primary gateway for international travel, has faced intermittent rocket fire from Gaza, raising fears about the safety of commercial flights. As was reported by The Post, despite these risks, airlines from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including carriers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have resumed operations to Tel Aviv.

In contrast, the three major US airlines have maintained their yearlong suspension of services, which began shortly after the October 7 attacks. As a result, El Al remains the sole airline offering non-stop flights from the United States to Israel, leading to a surge in ticket prices. The Post report revealed that a round-trip flight from New York to Tel Aviv, which would have cost approximately $900 before the conflict, now costs upwards of $2,500. This steep increase has not only limited travel options but also placed a significant economic burden on those trying to reach Israel.

Critics argue that the suspension of flights amounts to an economic boycott of Israel, with potentially serious consequences for both the Israeli economy and US-Israel relations. As per the information in The Post report, Eyal Hulata, a former national security adviser to two Israeli prime ministers, has publicly expressed concern that US airlines’ refusal to resume flights is inadvertently playing into the hands of Iran, a sworn enemy of Israel. Iran, which backs Hamas and Hezbollah, stands to gain from any economic strain placed on Israel, particularly as the region teeters on the brink of broader conflict.

In an interview with The Free Press, Hulata emphasized that if airlines from the Gulf states, which were historically adversarial to Israel, can resume flights, then US carriers should follow suit. “They should fly to Israel exactly like the Gulf countries and others do,” Hulata stated, according to The Post report. He criticized the decision-making of American carriers, suggesting that their hesitation to resume service to Israel may stem from exaggerated concerns over safety. “If they don’t do this because they are scared of rockets, then there’s something fundamentally wrong in their decision making.”

This line of criticism is underscored by the fact that airlines from countries like the UAE—formerly at war with Israel until the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020—have resumed regular flights to Tel Aviv. The Post report added that Etihad Airways, FlyDubai, and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, all based in the UAE, continue to operate flights into and out of Israel despite the risks. Their continued service highlights the potential for US carriers to do the same, raising questions about whether the American airlines’ decisions are driven by strategic concerns or excessive caution.

The suspension of flights also carries broader strategic implications. The US has historically been one of Israel’s closest allies, and the decision of its major airlines to halt service sends a signal that some perceive as a weakening of support during a time of crisis, The Post report explained. Air travel is not only a commercial enterprise but also a symbol of diplomatic and economic ties. The absence of direct flights from the US has placed Israel in a difficult position, with fewer transportation options available at a time when it faces increased isolation in certain parts of the international community.

Moreover, the inflated cost of travel further isolates Israel by limiting accessibility. For many Americans, including those seeking to visit family or conduct business in Israel, the trip has become financially prohibitive. With El Al essentially holding a monopoly on direct flights from the US, there are limited alternatives for those who need to travel quickly and efficiently, as was observed in The Post report.

The decision by US airlines to stay grounded also intersects with broader geopolitical concerns, particularly Israel’s ongoing security challenges. Since October 7, Israel has faced rocket attacks not only from Hamas in Gaza but also from Hezbollah in Lebanon. There are widespread fears that these tensions could lead to a broader regional conflict, particularly if Iran becomes directly involved.

In a public statement, United Airlines emphasized that the suspension of flights to Israel was made “with security in mind,” and that they “look forward to resuming flights as soon as it’s safe for our customers and crew.” The Post also reported that a spokesperson from American Airlines echoed this stance, referring inquiries to Airlines for America (A4A), a trade association representing major North American carriers. A4A confirmed that the safety and security of passengers and crew remains the top priority for US airlines, and decisions about resuming flights would continue to be made based on evolving intelligence reports and security guidance.

Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), a staunch supporter of Israel, has been at the forefront of efforts to urge US airlines to reconsider their flight bans. The report in The Post indicated that Torres wrote to the CEOs of Delta, United, and American, asking them to provide a clear rationale and process for their decisions to suspend flights to Israel. None of the airlines have responded to Torres’ request, fueling concerns that the suspension may be more politically motivated than publicly acknowledged.

The Post report said that in a recent interview, Torres warned that the current suspension sets a dangerous precedent. “Unless there’s an objective process put in place to prevent the politicization of air travel, I predict that in the future, the BDS movement will try to weaponize air travel as a new means of boycotting Israel,” he told The Free Press. BDS, which stands for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, is a global movement advocating for economic pressure on Israel to change its policies towards Palestinians. Torres fears that air travel could become the next front in the BDS campaign, particularly as the suspension of flights offers a form of economic isolation that could be leveraged by anti-Israel advocates.

Torres’ concerns about the BDS movement’s potential to weaponize air travel are rooted in a larger trend of economic and political boycotts aimed at isolating Israel on the international stage.

By keeping flights grounded, US airlines may be unintentionally contributing to the economic boycott of Israel that BDS supporters advocate for. While the airlines insist that security remains the primary concern, the fact that other carriers, including those from countries with historically contentious relationships with Israel, have resumed flights raises questions about whether American carriers are overly risk-averse or influenced by broader political dynamics.

The report in The Post indicated that Delta briefly resumed flights to Tel Aviv in June 2024, only to suspend them again in August following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. Delta has since announced that flights will remain suspended at least through October 31, 2024. American Airlines, on the other hand, has set a more distant target of March 2025 for a potential resumption of service to Israel.

Meanwhile, United Airlines has maintained a more cautious approach, indicating that its suspension will remain in effect until the airline is confident that security risks have been mitigated. As per the information in The Post report, the State Department’s ongoing travel advisory, which warns US citizens against traveling to Gaza and northern Israel, has further complicated decisions regarding resuming service. The advisory highlights the unpredictability of the situation, particularly given the possibility of further rocket attacks or an escalation involving Hezbollah or Iran.