As the conflict in the Middle East intensifies, major international airlines including Delta, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Emirates, and Lufthansa have suspended their services to Israel and Lebanon. The escalating war has prompted countries like the U.S., Germany, Canada, the UK, and Australia to begin preparing evacuation plans for their citizens stranded in the region. With tensions rising and the security situation deteriorating rapidly, travelers are facing uncertainty as governments and airlines respond to the growing crisis.
As the Middle East teeters on the brink of a full-blown war, airlines are scrambling to adjust. In response to 180 missiles launched by Iran toward Israel, major airlines, including Delta, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Emirates, and Lufthansa, have suspended or canceled flights to key destinations like Tel Aviv, Israel, and Beirut, Lebanon. With Israel boiling with the heat of war and the IDF vowing retaliation, the conflict is escalating rapidly, causing widespread chaos in global travel. The war is not only disrupting passenger flights but also cargo shipments, leaving travelers and businesses stranded across the globe.
The aviation industry, already struggling to recover from the pandemic, now faces unprecedented challenges as the Middle East conflict deepens. Countries like the U.S., Germany, Canada, the UK, and Australia are preparing evacuation plans for their citizens, while airlines are being forced to take drastic measures to protect passengers and staff in this rapidly escalating war.
Airlines react to conflict: suspensions and cancellations
As the security situation deteriorates, airlines have been quick to halt flights to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Here’s a comprehensive list of the affected airlines, their routes, and the timeline for these suspensions:
Escalating war pushes airlines to halt services
Many airlines have responded swiftly to the war’s escalation by suspending flights. For instance:
- Aegean Airlines: The Greek airline canceled all flights to and from Beirut until October 31 and suspended services to and from Tel Aviv until Sunday.
- Air Algerie: The Algerian airline suspended flights to and from Lebanon indefinitely due to safety concerns.
- AirBaltic: Latvia’s airBaltic has canceled all flights to and from Tel Aviv until October 31.
- Air Europa: The Spanish airline canceled its flights to Tel Aviv until Wednesday, awaiting further updates on the situation.
- Air France-KLM: Air France suspended all Paris-Tel Aviv and Paris-Beirut flights until October 8.
- KLM: The Dutch carrier canceled all flights to and from Tel Aviv until October 26. Its low-cost subsidiary, Transavia, has canceled flights to Tel Aviv until March 31, 2025, and also halted operations to Amman and Beirut until November 3.
- Air India: The Indian flag carrier suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice.
- Bulgaria Air: The Bulgarian carrier canceled its flights to and from Israel until October 15.
- Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific canceled all flights to Tel Aviv until March 27, 2025.
- Delta Air Lines: The U.S. carrier paused flights between New York and Tel Aviv until December 31.
- EasyJet: The UK budget airline stopped flying to and from Tel Aviv in April and plans to resume services on March 30, 2025, according to a spokesperson.
- Emirates: The UAE’s state-owned airline canceled flights between Dubai and Beirut until October 8.
- Flydubai: The Emirati airline canceled its Dubai-Beirut flights until October 6.
- British Airways (IAG): British Airways canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv through October 7, as confirmed in an email from the airline.
- Iran Air: The Iranian airline suspended all flights to Beirut until further notice, according to a company spokesperson.
- Iraqi Airways: The Iraqi national carrier suspended flights to and from Beirut until further notice, as confirmed by Iraq’s transportation ministry.
- ITA Airways: Italy’s ITA Airways extended its suspension of Tel Aviv flights through October 31.
- LOT Polish Airlines: Poland’s flag carrier suspended flights to Lebanon indefinitely, according to a statement issued on September 20.
- Lufthansa Group: The German airline group, which includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, extended the suspension of all flights to Tel Aviv until October 31, and to Beirut until November 30. Flights to Tehran are suspended until October 14 for the group, and until October 26 for Lufthansa.
- Pegasus Airlines: The Turkish carrier canceled all flights to Beirut until October 7, according to a company spokesperson.
- Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways temporarily suspended all flights to and from Beirut until further notice.
- Ryanair: Europe’s largest budget airline canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv until October 26, citing operational restrictions.
- Sundair: The German airline canceled all Berlin-Beirut and Bremen-Beirut flights until October 31.
- SunExpress: A joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, SunExpress suspended all flights to Beirut until December 17.
- United Airlines: The U.S.-based airline suspended all flights to Tel Aviv for the foreseeable future due to security concerns.
- Virgin Atlantic: The UK airline extended its suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv until the end of March 2025, according to a company spokesperson.
- Vueling: The Spanish low-cost carrier canceled its operations to Tel Aviv until January 12, 2025, and suspended flights to Amman until further notice.
- Lebanese Airspace Alerts: The UK government advised British airlines to avoid entering Lebanese airspace from August 8 to November 4, citing the potential risk from military activity in the region.
Countries affected by the flight suspensions
Israel
The missile strikes on Israel have led to a mass suspension of flights, as carriers worldwide have grounded services to Tel Aviv. With Israel under missile attack from Iran, the IDF vows to retaliate, further escalating tensions. As a result, major airlines such as United, Delta, and Lufthansa have suspended operations. Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport is experiencing significantly reduced air traffic, with airlines opting to prioritize safety over business as war looms over the nation.
Lebanon
Air traffic to and from Beirut has come to a virtual standstill as airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Flydubai suspended services. Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport is a critical hub for the region, but with Israel launching strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, the airspace has become increasingly dangerous. Lebanese airspace remains highly volatile, with no clear timeline for resumption of flights.
Iran
Tensions in Iran have also soared, especially after Iran launched 180 missiles at Israel in a dramatic escalation. Airlines like Lufthansa have canceled all flights to Tehran until at least October 26. As Iran’s actions contribute to the broader regional instability, it has become a critical flashpoint affecting air travel.
Jordan
Although Jordan hasn’t been directly involved in the missile strikes, airlines are taking no chances. Transavia has suspended flights to Amman until November 3 as a precautionary measure. This move signals the increasing unease surrounding regional travel even in countries that have not yet seen direct military action.
Global travel disrupted as war escalates
With airlines halting flights to key Middle Eastern destinations, the ripple effects are being felt across the global travel industry. Tel Aviv and Beirut—two of the region’s busiest hubs—are now experiencing sharply reduced air traffic, with direct consequences for both tourism and commerce. Airlines are offering refunds and rebooking options, but passengers face uncertainty, delays, and canceled plans.
Beyond passenger flights, the disruption to cargo operations is equally severe. The war is affecting critical supply routes, making it difficult for businesses to maintain the flow of goods between the Middle East and global markets.
Many airlines are preparing for long-term suspensions. Cathay Pacific and Transavia, for example, have pushed back their return dates to 2025, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the potential for prolonged instability.
Evacuation plans for western nationals in lebanon
As the conflict in Lebanon worsens, countries around the world are activating evacuation plans for their citizens. With Israel launching strikes on Hezbollah, the situation is rapidly deteriorating, prompting nations like the UK, Australia, and Canada to step in and provide evacuation assistance.
- Australia: Australian authorities have urged the estimated 15,000 citizens in Lebanon to leave immediately while Beirut Airport remains operational. They have also prepared contingency plans for sea evacuations, if necessary.
- Canada: Canada is coordinating with Australia to assist in evacuations. Their plan includes contracting a commercial vessel to transport 1,000 people per day.
- France: France has had evacuation plans ready for several months, though no formal evacuation order has been issued. The focus is on using Beirut Airport and Cyprus for evacuations, with Turkey as another option. A French warship is already in the region, and a helicopter carrier will soon arrive in the Eastern Mediterranean to assist with any evacuation decisions.
- Germany: Germany has already evacuated non-essential staff, families of embassy workers, and medically vulnerable citizens. They are encouraging Germans in Lebanon to leave on commercial flights, while they remain available.
- Greece: The Greek government has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately and avoid any further travel to the country. A frigate is on standby to assist with any evacuations.
- United Kingdom: The UK has called for all British nationals to leave Lebanon immediately. The government has moved 700 troops to Cyprus, bolstering their military presence. Two Royal Navy ships are ready in the Eastern Mediterranean to assist, and a chartered flight is available to help evacuate those who wish to leave.
- Italy: Italy has reduced its diplomatic staff and strengthened security at its embassy in Beirut. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has urged Italian nationals to leave Lebanon and has sought guarantees from Israel regarding the safety of Italian peacekeeping soldiers in the area.
- United States: The U.S. has deployed dozens of troops to Cyprus, preparing for potential evacuations of American citizens from Lebanon.
- Portugal: Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has advised Portuguese citizens against traveling to Lebanon. The government has already assisted in evacuating a small number of Portuguese nationals from the country.
Missile strikes intensify war: a region on the brink
The Middle East is now embroiled in a rapidly escalating war. Iran’s missile attack on Israel, followed by Israeli retaliatory strikes, has plunged the region into deeper conflict. The IDF’s vow to strike back with full force only adds fuel to an already dangerous situation. As tensions rise, airlines will continue to adapt, prioritizing the safety of passengers and crew over profitability.
The consequences of this conflict will reverberate through the aviation industry for months, if not years. Airlines are likely to reassess their routes, and global cargo supply chains are already facing significant delays due to the instability. For passengers, the ongoing uncertainty makes it challenging to plan trips to the Middle East.
Global air travel grapples with a volatile future
As the Middle East war escalates, airlines have been forced to cancel flights, reroute operations, and consider long-term suspensions. The launch of 180 missiles by Iran toward Israel has set off a chain reaction of military actions and retaliatory strikes, leaving passengers stranded and businesses scrambling to manage disrupted supply chains.
For now, the safety of passengers and crews remains the top priority as airlines continuously monitor the conflict. The full economic impact on the travel and tourism industry will only become clearer in the weeks to come, but one thing is certain: the Middle East conflict has plunged global air travel into chaos, with no immediate resolution in sight.
