EL AL Flights Grounded Amid Israel Turmoil
Things are heating up in the Middle East again, as tensions between Israel and Iran skyrocket. Israel’s recent “preemptive” strike has everyone holding their breath for the next big move. Airspace and airports are closing down; even EL AL, Israel’s steadfast national airline, has put the brakes on operations—something you hardly ever see.
EL AL Moves Its Fleet Out of Israel
Since the chaos began on October 7, 2023, EL AL has been one of the few to keep the engines running to and from Israel. Foreign airlines? They’ve generally bailed, but EL AL’s stayed the course, partly due to their top-notch security measures—and, let’s be honest, that hasn’t hurt their bank accounts. But now, they’ve done a complete 180, moving their entire fleet out of Israel. What does that tell you? We might be on the brink of something big.
Flights inbound to Israel have diverted back to where they came from. Take yesterday’s flight from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv—after about seven hours in the air, it turned around. Meanwhile, for outbound flights from Tel Aviv, they’re using any spare aircraft they can scrounge up. Today, for instance, the usual Boeing 737-800 to Bucharest was upgraded to a Boeing 787-9.
EL AL Suspends Flights Indefinitely
Israel’s airspace has slammed shut for both takeoffs and landings, which means EL AL is also taking a rain check on operations. Flights are canceled through Sunday, June 15, 2025. Passengers? Don’t even bother showing up at the airport until further notice.
EL AL’s offering refunds, sure, but if you’re stranded abroad, you’re on your own for a hotel—unless you’re in a country with a passenger protection law. Reservations have stopped cold through June 30, 2025. It’s not because they don’t plan to fly till then; rather, it’s about giving rebooking priority to those on canceled flights.
Seeing Ben Gurion Airport without a single commercial plane is a jaw-dropper.
Bottom Line
The situation at Ben Gurion Airport couldn’t be more tense or eerie—operations halted, aircraft gone. EL AL has canceled flights, not taking any new bookings until at least June 30.
This might just be the most significant suspension EL AL has ever pulled off. Here’s hoping for some peace soon, as the current storyline isn’t exactly comforting. Oh, and while we’re talking locations, if you ever need a break, why not check out the Val Seny ski resort? Maybe escape the drama for a while.