US airlines suspend flights to Israel as State Department urges caution

U.S. airlines have suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have also issued travel waivers allowing passengers scheduled to fly to and from Israel to rebook. United’s waiver also covers flights to and from Amman, Jordan.

“We continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation as needed,” American said in a statement.

Delta said it is suspending operations to and from Israel through Oct. 31.

"Our hearts are with those who are impacted as our people work to find safe alternatives for customers trying to depart TLV," a statement from the airline said. "Delta will continue to explore options for customers to safely exit TLV via seats that become available on our partner airlines."

Delta noted that flights to and from Tel Aviv on partner airlines like Virgin Atlantic should remain available and bookable on its website. It also noted some flights through Oct. 17 may inaccurately show up as operating on some platforms but emphasized that those flights are canceled.

United Airlines said its flights will remain suspended "until conditions allow them to resume."

If your flight was canceled by a U.S. airline, you are entitled to a full refund even if you bought a nonrefundable ticket, according to Department of Transportation regulations.

The State Department has also issued travel advisories for the region, urging increased caution for American citizens headed to Israel and the West Bank, and suggesting not to travel to Gaza.

“Terrorist groups, lone-wolf terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities,” the advisory says. “Violence can occur in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza without warning. There has been a marked increase in demonstrations throughout Israel, some with little or no warning.”

The Federal Aviation Administration posted a notice to pilots in the region.

"Due to the ongoing conflict situation between Israel and Gaza, operators are advised to exercise extreme caution when operating within the Tel Aviv flight information region," the notice to air missions (NOTAM) issued Saturday said. "Flight crews should remain in contact with air traffic control at all times while operating within the (region)."

International airlines' response

Many European and Asian airlines also suspended service to Tel Aviv. Israel’s national carrier, El Al, continues operating flights.

Air France said it suspended services to Tel Aviv “until further notice” after coordinating with French and Israeli authorities.

Germany’s Lufthansa, which suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until Saturday, said Monday that the decision regarding its planes and those of its subsidiaries was made “due to the still unclear developing security situation in Israel and after an intensive analysis of the situation.”

The Lufthansa Group includes Austrian Airlines, Swiss and Brussels Airlines as well as Lufthansa itself.

Hong Kong’s main carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways, said that “in view of the latest situation in Israel,” it was canceling its Tel Aviv flights scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday.

Virgin Atlantic canceled its service between London’s Heathrow Airport to Tel Aviv on Monday and Tuesday, as well as the return flight from Tel Aviv to London on Wednesday.

Budget airline Wizz Air, which flies to Israel from Abu Dhabi and more than two dozen European airports, said it was canceling all flights to and from Tel Aviv “until further notice.”

The U.K. discount carrier easyJet said that “due to the evolving situation in Israel,” it has decided to “temporarily pause operations” its flights from London Luton and Manchester airports to Tel Aviv.

British Airways said it’s planning to continue operating flights to Israel “over the coming days with adjusted departure times.”

Dutch carrier KLM said it’s scrubbing flights to Tel Aviv “until and including Wednesday.”

Contributing: AP

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: American, Delta and United suspend Israel flights and issue waivers