CARRIERS EXTEND SUSPENSION OF ISRAEL FLIGHTS

Delta and American Airlines have both extended their suspensions of flights to Israel as the war between the country and the militant group Hamas continues, and hostilities with Lebanon threaten to escalate.

Delta halted flights beyond its previously announced suspension date for another month, through Oct. 31, while American’s said it would not fly between the United States and Tel Aviv through March 29 of next year.

“Delta is continuously monitoring the evolving security environment and assessing our operations based on security guidance and intelligence reports,” the airline said in a travel advisory.

Both airlines said that customers with tickets on flights that will now be cancelled can rebook, generally at no extra charge, or cancel their trip and get a refund.

Delta will allow customers to use its site to rebook on partner airlines El Al and Air France. American said it will work with its partners to help customers fly between Israel and European cities that offer flights on to the United States.

Delta, American and United Airlines all stopped flying to Israel shortly after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that started the war. United recently said it has suspended its service indefinitely.

Many other international airlines also stopped flying to Tel Aviv and other cities in Israel, although some later resumed them. Israel’s El Al, British Airways, Air France, Wizz Air and flydubai are among the carriers still flying to Israel.

Lufthansa, meanwhile, halted all Middle East flights – to Tel Aviv, Amman, Beirut, Teheran and Erbil in Iraq – over the weekend based on announced a “current security analysis.”