Delta Air Lines Resumes Flights to Tel Aviv After May 4 Missile Attack

Delta Air Lines officially resumed service to Tel Aviv on Tuesday after suspending service to the city following a May 4 missile attack at Ben Gurion Airport. 

The carrier said it made the decision to resume service following an “extensive security risk assessment.”

Delta had issued a travel waiver to customers for travel to the city between May 4 and May 25. The waiver has allowed customers to rebook flights scheduled on or before June 15 within the same cabin without paying the fare difference. 

Delta’s decision to resume service to Tel Aviv comes as European carriers are continuing to suspend flights to the region. Virgin Atlantic, one of Delta’s partners, said April 28 that it would cancel flights to Tel Aviv indefinitely. Lufthansa said it planned to extend its suspension of flights to Israel until June 8. 

Airlines have offered on-and-off service to Israel following the attacks on October 7, 2023.  Some have also avoided Iraqi and Iranian airspace in recent months due to fear of drone or missile strikes. A slate of carriers had temporarily halted flights to Israel on May 4 after a missile from Houthi rebels was fired near Ben Gurion Airport. 

United Airlines, the only other U.S. carrier to fly to Israel, didn’t suspend flights after the attack, but said travel scheduled between May 4 and June 2 may be impacted. 

The frequent cancellations and suspensions have also made El Al, Israel’s flag carrier, often the only option for nonstop routes to the region. As a result, El Al’s profits have soared, with the airline reporting operating margins as high as 16%. 

Curated by Meghna Maharishi

Airline Reporter

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