Wizz Air Pauses Israel Flights as Tensions Rise

Hungarian airline Wizz Air became today (Monday) the first foreign carrier to announce a temporary suspension of its flights to Israel following the renewed confrontation with Iran. According to the company’s statement, flights to and from Israel will not operate over the next two days.

Wizz Air said: "The company is informing its customers that it is temporarily suspending its flights to Israel for today and tomorrow (June 8 and 9) in response to the current escalation in the region. The resumption of flights to Israel is currently planned for June 10, subject to the situation. The safety and security of passengers and crew remain the company’s top priority, and it continues to closely monitor the developing situation in coordination with the relevant authorities."

At the same time, a Wizz Air flight that had been scheduled to land in Israel was diverted to Larnaca, Cyprus, after the pilot refused to fly to Israel.

Despite Wizz Air’s announcement, Israeli officials are emphasizing that civilian aviation activity is continuing at this stage without change. Overnight, Transportation Minister Miri Regev held a situational assessment attended by Transportation Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben-Zaken and professional officials from the aviation sector. At the end of the discussion, it was decided that Israel’s airspace would remain open and that flights would continue operating as usual.

The Israel Airports Authority said: "Following a situational assessment held by the transportation minister, Ben Gurion Airport is operating as usual. The Airports Authority is conducting ongoing situational assessments and remains in continuous contact with the Transportation Ministry, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Home Front Command, and all relevant bodies in order to ensure continuity of operations and service for passengers. We recommend that the traveling public stay updated with their airline and follow updates through the official information channels."

Wizz Air’s announcement comes after several foreign airlines resumed operations in Israel in recent months, after halting their flights following the war in March 2026. Among the airlines that renewed service are Wizz Air, LOT, flydubai, Etihad, TUS, Blue Bird, Austrian Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Hainan.

On the other hand, a number of major airlines still have not resumed operations in Israel since the war in March 2026, including Delta, United, most of the Lufthansa Group, British Airways, Air France, Air Europa, KLM, Iberia, ITA, Air Canada, and Air India.

In addition, there are airlines that have still not returned to Israel since the war with Iran in June 2025. This list includes American Airlines, Portugal’s TAP, easyJet, Ryanair, Emirates, Gulf Air, Virgin Atlantic, Vueling, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Royal Jordanian, Royal Air Maroc, Finnair, and Air Serbia. Alongside them, flydubai, which is operated by the Emirates Group, continues to operate flights to Israel.