Travel Disruptions Mount as Airlines Cancel Israel Flights

The ongoing conflict in Israel has prompted several major airlines to cancel or divert flights to the country, disrupting travel plans and leaving many passengers stranded.

United Airlines was forced to divert a San Francisco-bound flight back to the U.S. on Friday after it was already well into its journey to Tel Aviv. The abrupt turnaround over Greenland left travelers weary and frustrated.

“We were only a few hours away from landing when the pilot announced we were heading back. It’s a nightmare,” said Rebecca Smith, a San Francisco resident who was returning home on the diverted United flight. “I just want to get back safely at this point.”

Other carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Lufthansa have proactively scrapped flights to Israel through the weekend due to security concerns arising from recent attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The mass flight cancellations have created chaotic scenes at airports as scores of passengers try rebooking travel plans. Industry analysts say the disruption highlights the fragility of commercial aviation when operating in conflict zones.

“It’s a coordination nightmare for airlines when unexpected violence breaks out,” said Jared Bennett, a logistics expert at the Aviation Institute. “But passenger safety has to come first.”

For now, Israel’s central Ben Gurion International Airport remains open under heightened security. But the ripple effects from flight suspensions are impacting thousands worldwide as the crisis continues.