Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have suspended service to Tel Aviv after a rocket attack by Houthi rebels in Yemen on Sunday struck the outer edge of Ben Gurion International Airport.
Delta Air Lines, United Airlines Suspend Service To Tel Aviv After Houthi Rocket Attack
A rocket attack from Yemen penetrated Israel’s Arrow 3 missile defense system and US-made THAAD missile defenses, landing near aircraft parked on the runway outside Terminal 1 at Ben Gurion (TLV), Tel Aviv’s main airport, on Sunday morning. While six people were injured, there were no deaths or life-threatening injuries and the airport was only closed for 30 minutes.
But the rocket penetrating Israeli defense systems rattled airlines, with more foreign airlines suspending inbound service to Tel Aviv. The Lufthansa Group carriers, Air Europa, Air France, British Airways, ITA Airways, Ryanair, and Wizzair cancelled flights. Ethiopian Airlines, flydubai, and Iberia continued service.
In the US, United and Delta have paused flights, with United telling employees on Sunday:
A ballistic missile struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday. All United team members have been confirmed safe.
What you need to know:
- UA 91 is scheduled to depart for EWR this evening with all crew members currently in TLV on this flight.
- Beginning tomorrow May 5, we have canceled our twice-daily service between EWR and TLV while we closely monitor the situation.
- We will make decisions on resuming service with a focus on the safety of our customers and crews.
We will continue to provide updates as soon as we have the latest information.
UA90 was in the air at the time of the attack and rather than turn back to Newark, continued to Tel Aviv, where it landed almost two hours late at 6:14 pm local time. It then turned back and departed for Newark, operating as UA91.
Both daily United flights from Newark to Tel Aviv have been cancelled through May 7, 2025.
Menawhle, Delta has canceled tonight’s New York (JFK) – Tel Aviv flight, but it remains scheduled tomorrow, May 6, 2025. Delta says it is assessing conditions and that the “safety and security of our customers and crews is our No. 1 priority.”
Israeli flag carrier EL AL flights continue as normal.
CONCLUSION
Delta and United have suspended service to Tel Aviv after a rocket attack, though the duration of that service suspension is being evaluated on a day-by-day basis. Israel has assured foreign carriers that they can safely operate to TLV, though the rocket attack evading missile defense systems has understandably rattled many foreign carriers.
Chickens .
The Houthis repeatedly warned civilians to stay away from Ben Gurion airport as it was a target due to its dual military use, and to instead congregate in designated humanitarian zones. Israelis should have taken note.
And now I hope that the poor civillians of Yemen used by the Houthis as pawns will take shelter before the impending firestorm.
BS.
TLV has no military use for decades. It used to be an IAF base until about 2000.
The Houtis never made specific warnings about the airport. They target all of Israel, not specific targets. Previously they hit a school and a playground.
Good. No need for anyone to visit Israel.