American Airlines Halts Flights to Israel Until March Amid Gaza War

American Airlines has announced an extension of its suspension of flights to Israel until late March. This decision continues a halt in service that began during the initial days of the conflict in Gaza. Customers holding tickets for Tel Aviv flights can either rebook without additional charges or opt for a refund, according to a spokesperson for the airline.

Flight Suspensions Extended

The airline confirmed that flights to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv will remain suspended until March 29. This update was reflected in a travel advisory on their website over the weekend. The spokesperson added, "We will continue to work closely with our partner airlines to assist customers travelling between Israel and European cities with service to the US."

Delta Air Lines has also extended its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv, now through September 30, from the previously set date of August 31. United Airlines has halted its service indefinitely. These suspensions began shortly after the October 7 Hamas attack that initiated the ongoing war.

International Airlines' Response

Many international airlines ceased operations to Israel following the attack, although some have since resumed services. Germany's Lufthansa announced on Monday that it would suspend all flights to Tel Aviv, Amman, Beirut, Teheran, and Erbil in Iraq based on a "current security analysis." This suspension is set to last through Monday.

The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, primarily civilians. In response, Israel launched bombardments on Gaza. According to the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza, around 40,000 people have died there. Efforts by the US to negotiate a cease-fire have not been successful.

The situation remains fluid as airlines and governments assess security risks and adjust their operations accordingly.