Etihad Airways announced the cancellation of its flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv on Tuesday, citing “operational reasons.” This development affects both Flight EY595, scheduled to depart from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) on August 6, and the return flight EY596 from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi on the same day.
The airline issued a notice to passengers, advising them to ensure their contact details are up to date on etihad.com/manage. This measure aims to keep travelers informed via SMS or email with the latest flight information. Travelers needing to make changes to their bookings. Those who have inquiries are encouraged to reach out through the airline’s local phone numbers, live chat, or social media channels.
This cancellation occurs against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
This has led many airlines to avoid Iranian and Lebanese airspace.
The growing concerns over a potential conflict in the region have also resulted in the cancellation of numerous flights to Israel and Lebanon. These concerns have intensified following the deaths of senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, raising fears of further instability.
In a statement, the airline emphasized, “The safety and comfort of our guests and crew is our number one priority. We apologize for the disruption to your travel plans.” This underscores the airline’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of its passengers and staff amidst uncertain conditions.
Emirates has also suspended flights to Tel Aviv since November 2023. At that time, the airline canceled all its flights to the region amid escalating tensions between Israel and Gaza. Emirates announced that customers with onward connections to Tel Aviv on their flights “would not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.” This long-standing suspension reflects the ongoing volatility in the region and the caution exercised by airlines in response.
Etihad Airways continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates to passengers as needed. The airline’s proactive approach aims to minimize inconvenience while prioritizing safety during this period of heightened regional tension. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed and contact the airline for the most current information regarding their travel plans.
