Delta Airlines Suspends Tel Aviv-NYC Service Through March 2025

Wizz Air also canceled all flights to the Jewish state until Jan. 14, 2025

By: JNS.org

Delta Airlines announced the suspension of flights between Tel Aviv and New York City through March 31, 2025, “due to ongoing conflict in the region.”

The Atlanta-based carrier stated on Tuesday that a travel waiver has been issued for all customers who bought tickets for the Ben-Gurion International Airport-John F. Kennedy International Airport route on the affected dates.

“Customers impacted by the schedule change will receive notifications via the Fly Delta app and contact information listed in their reservation as these cancellations are processed in Delta’s system,” the airline wrote.

Wizz Air, one of the leading low-cost carriers to Israel, announced on Tuesday the cancellation of flights to and from the country until Jan. 14, 2025.

The decision, affecting all routes and destinations, marks one of the longest suspension periods announced by the airline in response to the ongoing wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The move by Wizz Air, which previously operated around 200 flights per week from Israel to over 20 destinations, is expected to impact more than 100,000 Israeli passengers who had already purchased tickets. Industry experts predict that the three-month hiatus will likely lead to a sharp increase in ticket prices for all European destinations.

Despite the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifting its recommendation against flying to Israel, many airlines continue to exercise caution. The Israel Airports Authority has announced that starting Oct. 16, all international flights will operate solely from Terminal 3 at Ben-Gurion International Airport due to the reduced number of airlines currently serving Israel.

Other major carriers have also adjusted their schedules:

• Aegean Airlines has postponed its return to Israel until Nov. 5.
• Air France and Transavia have delayed resuming flights until Oct. 22.
• LOT Polish Airlines has pushed back its return to Nov. 1.
• Lufthansa Group, including SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines, has extended its suspension of flights to Ben-Gurion International Airport until mid-October.

An Air France passenger plane was nearly hit by a ballistic missile during Iran’s attack on Israel on Oct. 1. The flight, according to a report by the German news outlet Bild, departed Paris en route to Dubai. As it passed through southwestern Iraqi airspace, the pilots noticed missiles near their aircraft.

Passengers have been advised by airlines to stay informed about their flight statuses and potential schedule changes.

(JNS.org)