Israel-Hamas war: Major airlines suspend Tel Aviv operations amidst tensions

In response to the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, several major airlines, including American Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates, and Ryanair, quickly cancelled their flights to Tel Aviv. This decision was made in the interest of passenger safety and followed the escalation of hostilities in the region.

Amidst these cancellations, El Al, Israel's national carrier, continued limited operations, adhering strictly to the instructions of Israeli security forces. To accommodate travellers, El Al shifted all departing flights to Terminal Three at Ben Gurion Airport, ensuring a unified and secure departure process.

Meanwhile, in Athens, the foreign ministry diligently worked to repatriate Greek tourists from Israel, with a significant number of them scheduled to return on El Al flights. 

Spain's AENA airport operator reported cancellations affecting flights from Madrid and Barcelona. Air Europa cancelled its Madrid-Tel Aviv flights, while Iberia Express proceeded with a limited operation after temporarily suspending two flights due to security concerns.

Other airlines such as Vueling, Lufthansa, Air France, and Transavia also suspended flights, emphasizing the current security situation as their primary concern. Italy's ITA Airways and Polish carrier LOT took similar precautions, prioritizing passenger and crew safety.

United Airlines, in coordination with Israeli authorities, managed to operate a few scheduled flights from Tel Aviv, ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers, crew, and airport employees.

Additionally, Aegean, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Wizz Air, and Air Canada also joined the list of airlines temporarily suspending flights, collectively prioritizing the security of travellers amidst the evolving conflict. These measures underscore the airline industry's commitment to passenger safety during periods of heightened geopolitical tension.

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