Two European airlines have suspended flights to Israel due to the escalating US-Iran tension in the Middle East and the possibility that Israel could become involved in the conflict.
According to a report by Israel's Channel 12, Italian carrier ITA, which belongs to the German Lufthansa Group, has canceled its flights to and from Israel until next Tuesday. Austrian Airlines, another member of the same group, also canceled some Israel flights scheduled for Saturday.
The report did not provide details on the number of canceled flights or their routes. No information was given on when Austrian Airlines flights would resume.
Channel 12 noted that the decision could be linked to an escalation of US-Iran tensions and the possibility of Israel being drawn into the conflict. "It appears some European airlines are not taking any risks and have already started canceling flights to and from Israel," the report said.
Neither airline issued an official statement regarding the cancellations that directly referenced Israel's possible involvement. It was emphasized that there have been no changes to official instructions on air traffic in Israel for now, and that other flights were continuing normally.
Record passenger numbers despite increasing risks
The flight cancellations come at a time when warnings to airlines about increased missile threats in the region and the possibility of sudden airspace closures have intensified.
Meanwhile, Channel 12 reported that more than 95,000 passengers used Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday, marking the highest daily traffic since last summer. The airport continues to face operational pressure as the summer travel season peaks in July and August.
Regional tensions at critical level
Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated in recent weeks. Tehran responded to Washington's strikes on targets inside Iran by announcing it had struck US military facilities and equipment in some countries in the region.
In Israel, official and media-sourced indications are growing that the level of military readiness has been raised in anticipation of a possible large-scale conflict with Iran.
US President Donald Trump announced on July 8 that the ceasefire reached with Iran last June had expired, accusing Tehran of failing to comply with the agreement. The statement came after attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and amid renewed disputes over the regulation of maritime transits.
Washington is demanding that Iran stop attacks on vessels and guarantee freedom of navigation in the strait, while Tehran insists that transits through this corridor off its coast should be subject to rules determined by Iran.
