People Struggle to Leave Israel After More Flights Cut

Securing direct flights from Israel to the UK has become increasingly difficult with more airlines cancelling flights after the Hamas attacks.

Virgin Atlantic is now operating one flight to and from Tel Aviv a day instead of two, while British Airways continues to operate one round trip.

EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air as well as Air France, Lufthansa, and Emirates have suspended all flights to the UK.

Some flights are running – but with many fully booked, tickets are scarce.

Virgin Atlantic and Israel’s national carrier El Al – which is still operating two flights daily to London Heathrow and two to Luton Airport – have no availability on their UK-bound services until next week.

Many airlines had canceled journeys due to safety concerns, but added the airspace over Israel isn’t closed, so the “operate into Tel Aviv is currently down to individual operators”.

The dwindling number of direct flights leaving the country comes as James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, urged UK nationals wishing to leave Israel to use commercial transport, with no UK government evacuation currently planned.

The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and against all travel to certain parts of the region.