Several international airlines have suspended their flights to and from Israel amid escalating regional tensions and concerns over a retaliatory strike by Iran following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh during his visit to Tehran last week.
The Israeli newspaper Globes, in its English edition, reported that United Airlines was the first to announce the cancellation of its flights to Israel until further notice, followed by several other airlines, negatively impacting tourism.
In a statement, the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority explained that “some foreign airlines have stopped or reduced their flights to Israel for internal reasons.” The newspaper listed the airlines that have canceled some or all of their flights to Israel, including United Airlines, Israel’s Arkia, Germany’s Lufthansa Group, Italy’s ITA Airways, Air India, Iberia Express, and Air Europa.
Simultaneously, Israel’s largest airline, El Al, announced late yesterday that it would be enhancing its flight schedule from Larnaca, Cyprus, and Athens, Greece, offering new flights at a unified price of $228 from Larnaca and $283 from Athens for passengers whose flights were canceled by other airlines and who wish to travel to Israel.
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgraded Israel’s long-term credit rating from “AA-” to “A+” amid the already high geopolitical risks facing Israel, while Moody’s also downgraded Israel’s credit rating due to the war risks.
