Etihad Airways Cancels Flights To And From Tel Aviv Due To 'Operational Reasons'

Etihad Airways on Tuesday announced the cancellation of its flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, citing "operational reasons."

The move comes as regional tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate, causing many airlines to change their flight routes.

Flight EY595 from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), scheduled for Tuesday, was canceled. Similarly, the return flight EY596 from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi on the same day was also canceled.

Etihad Airways recently canceled several flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, affecting passengers booked for Aug. 6. Travelers with reservations on these flights are urged to update their contact details at etihad.com/manage. This has been done to ensure they receive the latest flight updates via SMS or email.

For those who need to change their bookings or get more information, Etihad Airways suggests contacting them through local phone lines, live chat, or social media. These options can help with managing reservations or any concerns about cancellations.

"Etihad Airways canceled one of its two flights a day between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv for operational reasons on Aug. 6, 2024," the airline said in an official statement, Khaleej Times reported. "Customers booked on the EY 595/596 are being contacted and re-accommodated on the other daytime service between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Tel Aviv the EY 593/594."

Amid increasing volatility and recent attacks on senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, many airlines are now avoiding Iranian and Lebanese airspace and canceling flights to Israel and Lebanon. This change highlights the wider concerns about possible conflict in the region.

As the situation develops, airlines adjust their operations to reduce risks and ensure passenger safety, affecting international travel routes. Since November 2023, Emirates Airlines has stopped all flights to Tel Aviv because of growing tensions between Israel and Gaza.

Emirates informed passengers with connecting flights to Tel Aviv that they could not travel from their starting points until further notice, highlighting the airline's commitment to keeping passengers safe during regional instability.