Friday, May 16, 2025

Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways have all taken urgent action. Each of these carriers now suspends Tel Aviv flights through May 25 following the escalating missile threat near the airport. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the industry. As a result, global airlines retreat, and once again, Israel’s travel recovery crumbles under pressure.

The missile threat is real. A projectile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels landed dangerously close to Tel Aviv’s main airport, forcing Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways to immediately halt operations. Now, the skies are quieter. Booking windows are frozen. And the mood on the ground is tense.

This isn’t the first disruption, but it’s a devastating setback. Just months ago, hope was building for tourism in Israel. But now, as Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways suspend all travel to Tel Aviv, confidence disappears again.

Moreover, the ripple effect is enormous. Tourists cancel trips. Airlines issue refunds. Hotels watch reservations vanish. Global airlines retreat, and with each retreat, the dream of recovery slips further away. Israel’s travel recovery crumbles again, faster than it began.

Meanwhile, the world watches. Will more airlines follow? Can Tel Aviv’s airport guarantee safety in time for summer travel? Or will the fear persist? One thing is certain—for now, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways won’t be flying to Tel Aviv. And Israel’s travel recovery crumbles again under the weight of conflict and caution.

Just as hope was returning to Israel’s skies, it’s all come crashing down again. Lufthansa, one of Europe’s largest airline groups, has officially suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv through May 25, citing rising regional tensions and safety risks following a missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport.

The move is not limited to Lufthansa alone. It affects its entire group, including , and even , which Lufthansa recently acquired a major stake in. This sweeping withdrawal represents a significant blow to Israel’s tourism and aviation sector—already on fragile ground following months of geopolitical instability.

The latest disruption began on , when a landed perilously close to in Tel Aviv. Though no direct hit occurred, the event triggered alarm bells across the global aviation community.

The missile’s proximity to airport grounds pushed multiple carriers to take immediate precautions. In response, Lufthansa and its affiliated brands joined a growing list of airlines temporarily halting flights to Tel Aviv—one of the Middle East’s busiest gateways.

The effect is widespread. Flights operated by:

…have all been suspended until at the earliest. The fallout is being felt across , with , , , , and now redirecting or canceling planned Tel Aviv departures.

The result? Thousands of disrupted journeys, stranded passengers, and a flood of refund and rebooking requests that’s overwhelming airline support systems. More importantly, the disruption is dashing hopes of a steady tourism comeback in Israel just ahead of summer.

Israel’s tourism industry had been holding its breath since January, when a ceasefire deal with Hamas encouraged global carriers to restart flights. Bookings were slowly improving. Hotels in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem began to fill again. Tour operators felt the first signs of momentum after months of cancellations and diplomatic tension.

However, the has reignited fear and forced the travel industry into defensive mode. Confidence is gone. Tourists are hesitating again. Travel insurance providers are reassessing their risk policies. And international bookings are beginning to nosedive just as the high season approaches.

Despite the missile incident, remains operational. Domestic carriers like and Arkia continue flying. But the departure halls are quieter. Gate screens show rows of cancelled international routes. The emotional atmosphere inside terminals has shifted—from relief and excitement to nervous silence.

Passengers with onward European connections are being forced to reroute through Istanbul or Amman, adding hours to travel and complicating itineraries for business travelers and tourists alike.

Airlines have always prioritized passenger safety. But this time, there’s an added layer: brand trust. No carrier wants to be associated with danger. The Lufthansa Group’s decision reflects a broader sentiment shared across the aviation industry—better to suspend now than face consequences later.

The collective retreat from Israeli airspace isn’t just about one missile. It’s about risk perception. It’s about making sure passengers feel safe boarding international flights. And right now, the Tel Aviv route no longer meets that standard.

The economic ripple effect is massive. Airlines will lose millions in ticket revenue. Hotels will face a fresh wave of cancellations. Tourism-dependent businesses in Israel—restaurants, guides, transport services—are bracing for another collapse.

Meanwhile, the move is also stirring political tension. Israeli officials are urging international airlines to reconsider, emphasizing airport security and the quick containment of the threat. But for carriers like Lufthansa, the calculus is global. They must answer not only to local partners, but to international shareholders, global passengers, and aviation regulators watching closely.

Passengers booked on affected Lufthansa Group flights are now scrambling for alternatives. Refund processes are underway, but long hold times, automated emails, and vague rebooking windows have left many frustrated and anxious.

Travel agents are working overtime to re-accommodate group tours, religious pilgrimages, and corporate delegations. Some travelers are turning to regional carriers with stopovers in Cyprus or Greece, though even those options face potential risk reevaluations.

As the suspension continues through May 25, all eyes are on the region’s security landscape. If tensions ease and no further missile incidents occur, some airlines may cautiously resume service. But if conflict escalates again—even slightly—this pause could extend into June or beyond.

Tour operators are already adjusting itineraries. Hotels are slashing rates. And Israeli tourism boards are launching emergency campaigns to reassure international travelers.

However, for now, the skies remain clouded.

If you’re booked on a Lufthansa Group flight to or from Tel Aviv between now and May 25:

Planning ahead is essential. So is patience—this disruption will take weeks to fully unravel.

Just when Israel’s travel industry began to recover, it’s been hit by another shockwave. Lufthansa’s decision to suspend flights through May 25, along with its entire group of European partners, is more than a logistical update. It’s a symbol of how quickly optimism in tourism can vanish in the face of conflict.

As missiles fly and airlines retreat, travelers and industry professionals alike are left asking: when will the skies over Tel Aviv be truly safe again?