Airlines divert, cancel flights after Israel attacks Iran

Airlines all over the world canceled flights to Israel and were skirting a big swath of airspace within the Middle East on Friday after Israel’s overnight missile strike on Iran. Iran later launched drones toward Israeli territory.

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines canceled service to Tel Aviv, Israel, through at the very least Saturday. Each carriers’ Tel Aviv-bound flights turned around over the Atlantic Ocean to return to the Recent York area after Israel’s strikes.

Israeli airline El Al has indefinitely suspended service.

“Following recent security developments and in accordance with the instructions from the state’s security and aviation authorities to shut Israeli airspace, all EL AL and Sundor flights are suspended in the meanwhile,” it said on its website.

The carrier said it won’t take bookings until at the very least the top of June and warned customers against going to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

“For purchasers currently abroad, we recommend arranging accommodation until there’s a change in security directives,” El Al said. “Flights that were en path to Israel have been diverted to land at various EL AL destinations.”

Turkish Airlines and European budget carrier Wizz Air also suspended Israel flights. Germany’s Lufthansa said it was suspending Tel Aviv and Tehran service until July 31 and flights to Jordan and Lebanon until at the very least June 20.

Airlines offered travel vouchers and waived change fees to customers affected by the disruptions.

Escalating military conflicts within the Middle East and Ukraine have forced airlines to repeatedly take longer and more costly routes to avoid conflict zones.