LONDON, 16 April. - (ANA) - EasyJet has suspended all flights to Israel until late October due to concerns over increasing instability in the Middle East.

 

It comes after Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel over the weekend, in what it said was revenge for an apparent Israeli airstrike in Damascus, Syria, that killed a number of senior Iran military commanders.

 

While Israel managed to contain most of the attack with its air defences, tensions are still running high, as international leaders call for calm in a bid to prevent an escalation into a wider full-scale regional war.

 

Here, Yahoo News explains what we know so far about flights to Israel being cancelled.

 

 

 

 

Following Iran's attack, EasyJet initially said it was suspending all flights to Tel Aviv – the only destination in Israel it flew to – up to and including 21 April.

 

Fellow budget airline Wizz Air made a similar announcement, claiming it would resume flights to Israel on Tuesday, 16 April, adding that it was "closely monitoring the situation with the relevant authorities".

 

Then, on Tuesday, EasyJet said it would be suspending all flights to Israel until 27 October – the end of the summer season – citing security concerns.

 

"As a result of the continued evolving situation in Israel, easyJet has now taken the decision to suspend its flights to Tel Aviv for the remainder of the summer season," a spokesperson said in a statement, after the airline on Sunday paused flights to the Israeli city.

 

"Customers booked to fly on this route up to this date are being offered options including a full refund."

 

In its latest travel guidance, the UK Foreign Office warns the situation in Israel "has potential to deteriorate quickly and without warning". It advises against all but essential travel to the country, and any travel at all to areas surrounding Gaza and the West Bank.

 

Other airlines across the world have made similar moves to EasyJet, but the budget airline appears to have made the longest-term decision so far.

 

For example, United Airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday and Monday, while Air India cancelled flights for three weeks.

 

 

 

 

We don't know how other airlines will react to EasyJet's decision and whether any of them will follow suit by imposing a longer-term suspension.

 

Wizz Air is yet to comment on whether it will extend its suspension. A flight to Tel Aviv with the airline from Gatwick Airport on Wednesday appears to be going ahead as planned.

 

It is also unclear whether EasyJet is likely to extend its suspension of flights to Israel beyond six months.   - (ANA)

 

AB/ANA/16 April 2024 - - -