American Airlines announced on Sunday (Aug 18) that it has cancelled its flights to and from Israel until April 2025, Israeli media reported. The airline extended its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport until next April.
According to a report by Israeli broadcaster KAN, the airline did not provide any specific details about the suspension.
20 airlines have suspended Israel flights so far
Since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, several major international carriers have suspended their flights to Israel. Some of these major airlines include United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, and Cathay Pacific.
KAN earlier reported that as of August 7, the total number of foreign airlines that have suspended flights to and from Israel reached 20.
Gaza ceasefire talks
The development of American Airlines cancelling its flights to and from Israel came as talks would again start to end the Israel-Hamas war.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, is on his ninth tour to the region since the conflict began. On Monday, Blinken met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
The fresh round of ceasefire talks began in Qatar last week but paused without a breakthrough. The talks will resume this week based on a US “bridging proposal.”
Hamas has cast doubt on the chances of reaching a deal.
“This is a decisive moment, probably the best, maybe the last opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a ceasefire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security,” Blinken told reporters on Monday.