The Israel travel sector has plunged into turmoil after a missile strike near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport triggered mass flight suspensions by major international airlines, including Delta, United, Lufthansa, Air France, Air India, British Airways, KLM, Wizz Air, and more. The missile, reportedly launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, has escalated regional tensions and forced carriers to cancel or halt operations to Israel amid rising safety concerns. As the conflict widens, tourism in Israel is collapsing, with mass cancellations across hotels, tours, and cruise lines, while Yemen’s Sanaa Airport has been fully disabled by Israeli airstrikes, compounding the regional aviation crisis. Travelers are scrambling to reroute through Amman, Cairo, and Istanbul, insurance claims are surging, and governments including the US, UK, and EU are urgently warning against travel. Check the full list of suspended airlines and updated flight statuses below.

Missile Strike Near Ben Gurion Triggers Aviation Panic

The disruption began after a missile reportedly launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels exploded near Ben Gurion Airport, prompting an immediate response from the aviation industry. Though the airport wasn’t directly hit, the strike came close enough to force a safety lockdown and spark immediate flight cancellations.

Airlines acted swiftly to suspend service, citing the growing risk to passenger safety and flight crew operations. The strike shattered what little confidence remained in regional airspace, with fears of further conflict escalating daily.

Expanded List of Airlines Suspending Tel Aviv Flights

More airlines have joined the list of those halting operations to and from Israel’s busiest airport, some extending their suspensions well into late May and even June. Here is the updated status as of May 12:

This broad suspension has paralyzed air access to Israel’s primary international gateway, with cascading effects on both tourism and business travel.

Yemen’s Sanaa Airport Disabled by Israeli Airstrikes

The Israeli military responded with a forceful airstrike on Sanaa International Airport, rendering Yemen’s primary airport completely non-operational. Burned runways and destroyed infrastructure have effectively severed Yemen from international air connectivity. The strike, according to Israeli authorities, targeted Houthi military infrastructure. But the result has been a total civilian aviation shutdown in Yemen.

With both Tel Aviv and Sanaa impacted, the ripple effects are destabilizing the wider regional travel network.

Tourism Collapse Across Israel and Yemen

The fallout has been immediate for the tourism industry. In Israel, where a summer rebound was underway following a temporary ceasefire with Hamas earlier in the year, hotel bookings in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Eilat have been decimated. Tour operators from Europe and North America are cancelling entire group itineraries. Cruise companies are reevaluating port calls in Haifa.

Yemen, already reeling from years of war, has now lost what little remained of NGO, humanitarian, and journalist air access. With Sanaa Airport offline, even essential missions are grounded.

Insurance Surge and Rebooking Chaos

The suspension of flights has unleashed a wave of insurance claims and customer service breakdowns. Platforms like Squaremouth report an uptick in demand for conflict zone coverage and cancellation-for-any-reason (CFAR) policies.

Travelers are scrambling to rebook through Amman, Cairo, and Istanbul, but available flights are limited and fares are skyrocketing.

Meanwhile, airlines are issuing rolling updates to their rebooking and refund policies, contributing to widespread confusion.

Governments Issue Urgent Travel Warnings

Governments worldwide are now revising travel advisories. The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Gaza and Yemen, and a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” for Israel and the West Bank. Similar warnings have been issued by Canada, the UK, and European Union countries.

Many foreign embassies have suspended visa services and are urging citizens already in the region to depart through safe corridors as soon as possible.

Regional Airspace Faces Overload

Air traffic controllers in Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi are managing a sudden spike in rerouted flights. Airlines are now avoiding the Sinai Peninsula, southern Saudi Arabia, and parts of Lebanon, increasing fuel costs and pushing flight times higher.

Some carriers have begun rerouting Europe-Asia flights to completely bypass the eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea zones.

Israel’s travel sector is in crisis after a missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport prompted Delta, United, Lufthansa, Air France, Air India, British Airways, and others to suspend Tel Aviv flights, as escalating conflict with Yemen raises serious safety concerns. The widespread cancellations have crippled tourism and disrupted regional air connectivity.

A Region on the Brink of Air Isolation

What began as a single missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport has become a regional airspace crisis. The combined suspension of flights to both Israel and Yemen has disrupted tourism, stranded thousands of travelers, and forced global airlines to reconsider Middle East operations entirely.

With conflict escalation far from over, more airlines may extend suspensions or cancel additional routes. Travelers planning trips to the region are urged to monitor airline advisories, purchase flexible insurance, and prepare for sudden itinerary changes.

The Middle East’s status as a high-connectivity travel hub now hangs in the balance.

The post Israel Travel Sector in Turmoil as Delta, United, Lufthansa, Air France, Air India, British and More Suspend Tel Aviv Flights After Missile Strike Near Ben Gurion and Yemen Conflict Escalates: Check the Full List appeared first on Travel And Tour World.