{"id":120178,"date":"2023-10-17T21:09:07","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T21:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/?p=120178"},"modified":"2023-10-17T21:09:07","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T21:09:07","slug":"ba-easyjet-ryanair-wizz-air-and-more-airlines-suspend-israel-flights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/travel\/ba-easyjet-ryanair-wizz-air-and-more-airlines-suspend-israel-flights\/","title":{"rendered":"BA, easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air and more airlines suspend Israel flights"},"content":{"rendered":"

A host of UK airlines including British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair are suspending flights to Israel as the Hamas conflict rages on. <\/p>\n

The militant group invaded Israel on Saturday and attacked areas close to the Gaza border, before being countered with a series of crushing airstrikes. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed 900 Israelis have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, while earlier this week authorities confirmed the bodies of 1,500 Hamas militants have been found on Israeli territory. <\/p>\n

The violence has prompted the Foreign Office to update its travel advice and warn Brits against all but essential travel to Israel.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: WW3 fears escalate after Israeli official calls for 'Doomsday' ballistic missile use<\/b><\/p>\n

READ MORE: Chilling accounts from under-siege Israeli city after Hamas order 'get out' <\/b><\/p>\n

It's also warning against all travel to regions including Gaza, the Sheba\u2019a Farms and Ghajjar, within 500m of the border with Lebanon (the \u2018Blue Line\u2019) east of Metula, including the northern edge of the town and within 500m of the border with Syria (the \u2018Alpha Line\u2019), the area close to the border with Gaza that includes southwest of Ashkelon; south of route 35 and west of route 40 as far as Tlalim, not including Be\u2019er Sheva; west of Be\u2019er Sheva and north of route 211.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A number of airlines have been temporarily suspending their flights to Israel during the conflict – some haven't confirmed when the suspension will end, while others such as easyJet and Wizz Air are extending the suspension as they go. We've put together a guide to the latest updates from airlines below.<\/p>\n

easyJet<\/span><\/h3>\n

easyJet had suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until October 13, but has now extended this until October 17 and has said it will contact those due to travel. Customers with flight-only bookings will be able to request a full refund, a voucher for the full value of their flight, or to change their flight dates free of charge.<\/p>\n

Customers who have booked an easyJet holidays package before October 21 will be offered the option to change their destination with no fee, or cancel their holiday and receive the amount back as easyJet holidays credit so they can book a different holiday at a later date.<\/p>\n

British Airways<\/h3>\n

British Airways originally did not cancel flights to Israel, but has since announced it is temporarily suspending flight routes until October 14. It comes after a BA flight on Wednesday was forced to divert over 'security concerns'. <\/p>\n

A statement on the airline's website explains: "Safety is always our highest priority and following the latest assessment of the situation we\u2019re suspending our flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including Saturday 14th October. If you are due to travel with us we will be in contact with you directly, providing you options including a full refund or rebooking with another airline. Our teams will continue to monitor the situation in the region closely."<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Wizz Air <\/h3>\n

The budget carrier had cancelled all of its Israel flights until October 10, but this has now been extended until October 13. An alert issued on its website reads: "Attention all passengers travelling to\/from Israel. Due to the escalation of the conflict in Israel, Wizz Air cancels all of its Israel flights for 8-13 October. Affected passengers are notified via sms\/email. Further updates regarding flights to\/from Israel beyond 13 October will be issued in due course. If you are to travel on Israel flights in the next days please proactively check Flight Info for the latest updates on your departure." <\/p>\n

Ryanair <\/h3>\n

The budget carrier is currently cancelling flights until October 15. A statement from the airline reads: "We have regrettably been forced to cancel flights to\/from Tel Aviv Airport between Mon 9 – Sun 15 Oct due to operational restrictions beyond Ryanair\u2019s control. Affected passengers will be notified of their options to either change flight or to receive a full refund by email\/SMS. Ryanair apologises for these unavoidable cancellations, and we advise all passengers due to travel to\/from Tel Aviv between Mon 9 – Sun 15 Oct to check the Ryanair App for the latest flight status updates." <\/p>\n

Virgin Atlantic <\/h3>\n

On Wednesday Virgin Atlantic announced that it would be suspending flights for 72 hours. A statement from the company explained: "Due to the ongoing situation in Israel, some of our flights to and from Tel Aviv may face delays or cancellations. Based on the latest information, we have taken the decision to pause flying to and from Tel Aviv for the next 72 hours.<\/p>\n

"The safety and security of our customers and our people are our number one priority and our flying programme to Israel remains under constant review. We would advise anyone booked to travel to check their flight status on the website before travelling to the airport.<\/p>\n

"As a result, we have cancelled the following flights: <\/p>\n