KLM suspends flights to Tel Aviv until year end

KLM Royal Dutch Airline yesterday announced the suspension of all flights to Tel Aviv until the end of the year.

KLM had previously cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv until 26 October due to escalating tensions in the region.

Fears of security escalation have prompted many airlines to stop flights or extend the suspension of flights to the region.

Several countries have also asked their citizens to leave or avoid travelling to Lebanon, while Britain, France and Canada have announced steps to evacuate their citizens.

German airline Lufthansa Group also announced yesterday that it has extended the suspension of its flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv due to the “current situation in the Middle East”. The group said in a statement that flights to Beirut will be suspended until 30 November, while flights to Tel Aviv will be suspended until 31 October and flights to Tehran will remain suspended until 14 October.

SwissAir also announced it had suspended flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv.

The European Aviation Safety Agency issued new warnings for civilian aircraft to avoid Lebanese and Israeli airspace until the end of October, increasing pressure on local airlines inside Israel, which are suffering from a shortage of staff and overcrowded flights.

Israeli media reported that only about 20 airlines are still operating flights to and from Israel, compared to more than 150 airlines that were active before 7 October.

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