Israel’s Airspace Closed
In the aftermath of a large-scale Iranian missile and drone attack on Israel, the Israeli government has fully closed its airspace, prompting a wave of cancellations and extended suspensions from major international airlines. The attack came on June 13, 2025, in retaliation for Israeli strikes earlier that day on multiple Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
The closure of Israeli airspace has affected thousands of travelers and disrupted the limited air traffic that had recently resumed after a previous round of hostilities in early May. The Israeli Airports Authority has grounded all flights, and major carriers have now removed Tel Aviv routes from their sales channels through much of the summer.
This latest disruption is part of a broader shutdown across the Middle East. Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Israel is currently closed, forcing commercial airlines to cancel or divert their flights away from the region entirely. Flight tracking data shows a near-total absence of air traffic over the affected countries, with airlines rerouting aircraft over the Mediterranean, Egypt, and the Arabian Peninsula to avoid conflict zones.
El Al Suspends All Flights and Halts Sales Through July
Israel’s national airline, El Al, has suspended all scheduled flights and has closed ticket sales through at least July 1. According to a notice posted on its website, the airline made the move “in accordance with the instructions from the security and aviation authorities to close Israeli airspace.” The company emphasized that it is coordinating with Israeli security services and will resume flights only once it is deemed safe to do so.
Passengers with flights scheduled between now and July 1 are being offered future travel credit vouchers. El Al has evacuated aircraft to alternate airports such as Larnaca in Cyprus, ensuring that planes and crews remain out of harm’s way.
United Airlines Suspends Israel Service and Removes Inventory
United Airlines, which had resumed limited service to Tel Aviv earlier in June, has once again pulled its flights from inventory. No flights to Israel are currently bookable through the end of June. The airline reportedly evacuated its staff and flight crews from Israel on an El Al-operated aircraft shortly before the airspace was officially closed. There is no confirmed date for when United plans to resume service, but industry sources indicate the airline is not planning to operate flights until July at the earliest.
Delta Halts Tel Aviv Flights Through September
Delta Air Lines has gone even further, removing all flights to Tel Aviv from its schedule through September 1. The airline had recently resumed its JFK–Tel Aviv route and was planning a second daily flight launch. However, with the Israeli airspace closure and increased regional tensions, the airline has taken a more cautious approach. Delta has not yet announced when ticket sales will reopen.
Broader Airline Suspensions Across Europe and the Middle East
Major European and Middle Eastern airlines have also responded to the closures and ongoing risks. Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Ryanair, and Wizz Air have all either suspended flights or delayed planned resumptions to Tel Aviv and other regional hubs. Gulf carriers including Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have also pulled back, with many routes now temporarily suspended or diverted to avoid closed airspace.
Air India, which had been flying between Delhi and Tel Aviv, has canceled all flights through the end of June, citing airspace restrictions and safety concerns.
Widespread Regional Disruption
According to Eurocontrol, the European air traffic control agency, thousands of flights have already been canceled or rerouted. Flight times for many long-haul routes are increasing due to the need to circumnavigate restricted zones, resulting in additional fuel costs and operational delays.
Travelers throughout the region are facing widespread disruption, with many stranded abroad or forced to rebook through secondary cities. As of now, there is no indication of when Israeli or regional airspace will reopen.
What Travelers Should Know
- All commercial flights to and from Israel are suspended until further notice.
- El Al, United, and Delta have all halted ticket sales, with resumption dates ranging from July to September.
- Travelers with bookings should contact their airlines directly for updates, rebooking options, or refunds.
- Those with travel insurance should verify if their policies include coverage for disruptions due to armed conflict or government-mandated closures.
Until regional stability is restored, international air travel to Israel and neighboring countries is expected to remain severely limited.
Sources:
- DansDeals – Israel’s Airspace Remains Closed After Iran Attack
- El Al – Official Travel Updates
- FlightRadar24 – Global Airspace Status
- Wall Street Journal – Airlines Cancel Flights to Avoid Middle East Conflict
