WASHINGTON: American Airlines has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Israel until April 2025, quoting heightened fears of regional instability, according to media reports. The decision indicated broader concerns over possible escalation in the Middle East, which have led several international airlines to either stop flights to Tel Aviv or reroute to avoid affected airspace.
Among the airlines that have already suspended flights are EasyJet, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa Group, Ryanair, Aegean Airlines, United Airlines, Air India, airBaltic, Cathay Pacific, Air France-KLM, Tarom, Vueling, and ITA Airways.
As per media reports, the decision came following the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.
Similarly, the escalation comes against the backdrop of an Israeli onslaught against Gaza which has killed more than 40,000 people mostly women and children since last October.