American Airlines delays Israel flights until 2027 as security concerns disrupt air travel

Israel's air travel network is once again facing disruptions as renewed security concerns prompt airlines to delay returning to the country or warn passengers to expect schedule changes, even as Ben Gurion International Airport remains fully operational.

The latest setback came on Monday when American Airlines, one of the world's largest carriers, announced it is postponing the planned resumption of flights to and from Israel until the end of March 2027.

The airline had previously intended to resume service at the end of December 2026, but the recent increase in concerns over renewed conflict with Iran appears to have led to another delay.

While many international airlines are delaying or canceling flights this week, Ben Gurion remains open. Israeli carriers – El Al, Arkia, Israir and Air Haifa – continue operating regular schedules, while the Lufthansa Group is maintaining limited service and advising passengers to prepare for sudden schedule changes.

Several other international carriers, including SWISS, ITA Airways, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Air France, Wizz Air, Aegean Airlines, Etihad Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Bluebird Airways, TUS Airways, FlyDubai, Uzbekistan Airways, Georgian Airways, Smartwings, FlyOne, Air Europa, Air India, Red Wings Airlines and ALK Airlines are operating on a similar basis, warning travelers that schedules could change at short notice.

Meanwhile, several major airlines have yet to resume service to Israel and could announce additional delays, including British Airways, Iberia, Brussels Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, American Airlines, Ryanair and easyJet.

According to a recent post by MASA, an organization that brings groups of Jewish young adults to Israel and closely monitors air travel to and from the country, August is traditionally one of the busiest travel months.

This year, however, congestion has been compounded by the presence of up to 30 U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion, creating additional delays for travelers and airport personnel.

Despite the added traffic, MASA stressed that "The airport itself is fully functional." However, it advised travelers that "for August you should plan around delays: build in generous buffer time, avoid tight connections, and check your carrier's status page before heading to the airport."

The organization said direct flights from the United States are currently available primarily from New York (JFK and Newark), Miami and Los Angeles on El Al, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. It added that these routes are being prioritized in El Al's repatriation plan and are expected to be among the first to return to normal once outbound flights are fully permitted.

MASA also said industry experts expect additional airlines to gradually resume service as security conditions improve. It forecast continued normalization of flight schedules throughout 2026, particularly from North America and Europe, with carriers such as Delta, British Airways and easyJet expected to fully restore service once the security situation stabilizes.

For travelers who need to reach Israel urgently, the report recommends flying first to major European hubs such as Athens, Rome or Larnaca, Cyprus, where alternative onward connections to Israel may still be available if major airlines further reduce service.