Airlines diverge over Israel flights’ safety concerns. On Wednesday, just before its scheduled arrival in Tel Aviv, a British Airways flight from London to the destination abruptly reversed course. The airline subsequently canceled all flights to the location due to safety concerns.
Flight BA165, originating from Heathrow Airport in London, was en route to Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv when it was rerouted to its initial destination, as the aircraft tracking website FlightRadar24 reported.
Read more: Which airlines suspended or canceled flights to Israel following Hamas attacks?
British Airways has verified that the flight was rerouted just before its scheduled touchdown in the northern Israeli city, where rocket fire has erupted amid a fierce battle between Hamas and Israeli forces.
The airline announced late Wednesday that operations to and from Tel Aviv had ceased.
It said in a statement, “Safety is our utmost concern at all times, and in light of the most recent assessment of the situation, we are suspending our flights to and from Tel Aviv.”
The airline stated that customers with reservations to or from Tel Aviv were being contacted to offer alternatives, such as refunds or rebookings, and to extend an apology for the disruption.
“We maintain vigilant surveillance of the situation in the region.” British Airways made no mention of a return date for flights.
How other airlines operate
A considerable number of additional international airlines that operate flights to Tel Aviv have ceased operations due to the escalation of attacks.
In recent days, Delta, United, American Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic, among other U.S. carriers, have all discontinued flights or codeshared services.
Numerous nations, meanwhile, have established specialized repatriation flights to evacuate their citizens from Israel.
