Delta, British Airways, Iberia Express, ITA, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Ryanair, United, Aegean, AirBaltic, KLM, Air India Continue Cancelling Flights to Tel Aviv Amid Missile Strike Near Israel’s Main Airport, Reigniting Travel Fears and Halting Tourism Rebound – Travel And Tour World

Delta, British Airways, Iberia Express, ITA, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Ryanair, United, Aegean, AirBaltic, KLM, and Air India continue cancelling flights to Tel Aviv as travel disruption escalates following the missile strike near Israel’s main airport. These global carriers are once again putting safety first, grounding routes and intensifying the impact on the already fragile tourism sector. The situation has reignited travel fears and halted the hard-earned tourism rebound that had just started to take shape earlier this year.

The missile strike near Tel Aviv was the final trigger. What followed was a domino effect—Delta, British Airways, Iberia Express, ITA, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Ryanair, United, Aegean, AirBaltic, KLM, and Air India swiftly responded. Their cancellations are not just routine operational decisions; they are signs of deeper uncertainty. The renewed suspension of service to Tel Aviv speaks volumes about security, risk, and the challenges facing international tourism recovery.

Meanwhile, the ripple effects are widespread. Hotels in Tel Aviv are reporting mass cancellations. Airport terminals are quieter. Local tourism boards are scrambling to reassure travelers. However, the confidence that fuels air travel and supports economic flow has once again been shaken.

Now, as Delta, British Airways, Iberia Express, ITA, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Ryanair, United, Aegean, AirBaltic, KLM, and Air India continue cancelling, the industry braces for longer-term fallout. With summer around the corner and Tel Aviv’s tourism rebound interrupted, the skies remain uncertain—and so does the future of travel in the region.

A fragile calm in Israel’s airspace shattered on May 4 as a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels landed dangerously close to Ben Gurion International Airport, prompting global airlines to immediately suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv.

The missile, though not striking the airport directly, landed close enough to trigger panic, reignite fears, and force the travel industry into crisis mode. Airlines that had only recently resumed service following a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in January have now reversed course, grounding flights and delaying Israel’s aviation and tourism recovery yet again.

Wave of Flight Cancellations Hits Travelers and Airlines Hard

Dozens of international carriers scrambled to respond. By May 5, AEGEAN, airBaltic, Air France-KLM, Air India, Delta, British Airways, Iberia Express, ITA Airways, LOT, Lufthansa Group, Ryanair, and United Airlines had either cancelled or suspended services to Tel Aviv. Each cited security concerns following the missile’s trajectory into Israeli airspace.

These airlines had been cautiously optimistic about their return to Israel. But the May 4 incident immediately shifted focus back to risk management, emergency protocols, and traveler safety.

The Timing Couldn’t Be Worse for Israel’s Tourism Industry

The cancellations come just as Israel’s tourism sector was showing signs of revival. Tour groups were beginning to trickle back. Hotel bookings across Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa had seen modest but promising upticks. Airlines had reopened routes shuttered since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacks plunged the country into prolonged conflict.

However, this renewed missile threat has hit the reset button. Suspended flights mean canceled vacations, delayed conferences, and diverted business travel. For Israel’s hospitality industry, it’s a gut punch. The momentum painstakingly built over the last few months has now stalled.

Airline-by-Airline Breakdown: Who’s Out and Until When?

• AEGEAN AIRLINES: Operations to resume May 19, with a flight exception on May 18.
• AIRBALTIC: Suspended Tel Aviv flights until May 20.
• KLM (Air France-KLM Group): Suspended Tel Aviv service through May 30.
• AIR INDIA: Flights halted until May 25.
• DELTA AIR LINES: Flights impacted between May 4–25.
• BRITISH AIRWAYS (IAG): Flights suspended until June 14.
• IBERIA EXPRESS (IAG): Flights canceled through May 31.
• ITA AIRWAYS: No flights to Tel Aviv until at least May 25.
• LOT POLISH AIRLINES: Service halted until May 19.
• LUFTHANSA GROUP: Flights grounded through May 25.
• RYANAIR: All services canceled until June 4.
• UNITED AIRLINES: Flights impacted through May 18.

This collective retreat from Israeli airspace speaks volumes. Security remains the top priority. And global airlines, even with robust protocols in place, are unwilling to gamble with passenger safety.

Airport Operations Continue, But Confidence Wavers

While Ben Gurion International Airport remains operational, confidence has taken a hit. Check-in counters that had been bustling just days ago now face long lines of stranded travelers seeking reroutes and refunds.

Meanwhile, El Al Israel Airlines, the country’s flagship carrier, continues operating. But even its loyal customer base is on edge. Insurance claims are spiking. Rebooking requests are flooding in. The wider aviation community is bracing for a sharp dip in near-term traffic.

Hotel Bookings Crash as Cancellations Surge

The domino effect has been immediate in the hospitality sector. Hotels in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Eilat report large-scale cancellations. Group tours scheduled for late May have pulled out. International events are in limbo. Corporate bookings are being reevaluated.

As a result, room rates are plummeting. Luxury and boutique hotels alike are slashing prices to retain the few travelers still willing to fly in. But without inbound air access, the discounts offer little relief.

Tourism Boards and Governments Respond with Caution

Israel’s Ministry of Tourism is working with stakeholders to assess damage, revise travel advisories, and coordinate with airlines for potential phased returns. However, the situation remains volatile.

Other nations are also stepping in. The US, UK, and European travel advisories have been updated to caution citizens traveling to Israel. Governments are urging airlines to exercise “maximum caution” in reviewing their risk strategies, especially for routes near conflict zones.

Regional Ripple Effect: Middle East and Europe on High Alert

This isn’t just an Israel story. The missile scare is having a regional impact. Airlines are now reviewing flight paths over Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Cyprus, with additional security evaluations underway for Gulf states.

Moreover, major travel insurers are reissuing force majeure notices, alerting customers that bookings to Israel may not be fully covered due to conflict-related disruptions. This further discourages spontaneous or short-term travel to the region.

The Emotional Cost: Travelers Left in Limbo

Thousands of passengers have been caught in the chaos. Business travelers missed critical meetings. Families were separated mid-journey. Honeymoons, bar mitzvahs, and medical trips were abruptly canceled.

The emotional toll is immense. Travelers are voicing frustration over limited communication, long refund processes, and lack of clarity on future routes. Social media is awash with confusion. Calls for coordinated international action are growing louder.

What Comes Next?

The immediate future for air travel to Israel hangs in the balance. If tensions escalate, this wave of cancellations could extend well into the summer peak season. That would be a devastating blow to Israel’s tourism rebound and a costly disruption for global airlines.

On the other hand, a quick de-escalation could mean phased resumptions starting late May or early June. Airlines are monitoring the situation closely and will likely restore service based on real-time risk assessments and security briefings.