Airlines Prolong Suspension of ‘israel’ Flights Following Yemen’s Assault on Occupied Tel Aviv Airport
Several international airlines have prolonged their suspension of flights to the Israeli-occupied territories in the wake of a recent missile attack by Yemeni forces targeting Tel Aviv's principal airport.
Airlines halted operations to Israel on Sunday following an incident where a Yemeni hypersonic ballistic missile struck within the perimeter of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, resulting in injuries to six individuals.
On Monday, the Lufthansa group of airlines, which also encompasses SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, announced an extension of their flight cancellations to the occupied territories until May 11. This decision comes subsequent to their earlier suspension, which was set through May 6.
Air France and Hungary’s Wizz Air have extended their flight cancellations until May 13 and May 8, respectively.
United Airlines has announced an extension of its flight cancellations to and from Newark Airport, prolonging the suspension until May 11. This decision extends the initial cancellation deadline, which was set for May 8.
United Airlines has recently reinstated its service to Israel following a suspension that had been in place for several months. The pause in operations occurred after hostilities commenced in the Gaza Strip, initiated by the Tel Aviv government on October 7, 2023.
The cancellation of flights has resulted in numerous Israelis being left stranded outside the occupied territories.
On Sunday, a Yemeni missile successfully targeted the heavily fortified Ben Gurion Airport, bypassing Israeli military defenses.
The Yemeni Armed Forces have declared their intention to enforce a comprehensive “aerial blockade” on Israel by consistently targeting airports, with a particular focus on Ben Gurion Airport.
They urged all international airlines to give serious thought to this announcement and to suspend all flights to the airports of what they referred to as the “criminal Israeli enemy.” This measure aims to ensure the safety of their aircraft and passengers.
In the following hours, Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Hudaydah port and the Bajil cement factory, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to 42 others.
Israeli representatives have confirmed that the airstrikes were conducted in coordination with the United States.
In the moments leading up to the Israeli air assaults, Yemeni media detailed American airstrikes targeting the capital, Sana’a, as well as the provinces of Marib and al-Jawf, resulting in injuries to 16 individuals.
In November 2023, the Yemeni Armed Forces initiated an offensive targeting ships and locations associated with Israel in the occupied territories, following a brutal offensive in Gaza by the occupying regime initiated the previous month.
In a show of solidarity with the Palestinians, Yemen paused its attacks in January following Israel’s agreement to a ceasefire in Gaza.
Two months later, Israel unilaterally terminated the Gaza ceasefire and recommenced its military actions in the blockaded region, prompting Yemeni forces to reactivate their operations against Israel.
