On 4 May 2025, a ballistic missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia struck near Ben Gurion International Airport. Operations at Israel’s main aviation hub were affected, with widespread disruptions to commercial air travel reported.
The attack near Terminal 3 exposed vulnerabilities in regional air security, forcing airlines to cancel flights and stranding thousands of passengers.
Flight Disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport
For commercial air operators, the incident highlights the challenges of operating in conflict zones and the cascading effects on global carriers, airports, and travelers.
The missile, claimed by the Houthis as a hypersonic “Palestine 2,” landed in a grove, creating a crater and injuring eight people with minor shrapnel wounds or trauma.
Israel’s Arrow air defense system and the U.S.-deployed THAAD failed to intercept it due to a technical issue, a rare breach prompting an Israeli Defense Forces investigation.
For aviation, this raised alarms about protecting critical infrastructure like Ben Gurion, a vital link for international travel.
Flight operations halted for about an hour, with access roads closed and train services to the airport suspended. While Ben Gurion resumed operations relatively swiftly, the impact on airlines was severe.
Commercial Flight Suspensions
The security incident prompted several airlines to cancel flights to Tel Aviv, with some suspensions extending to May 8, 2025. Based on available information, the following airlines have specifically confirmed cancellations through at least May 8:
United Airlines: Suspended its twice-daily service between New York (Newark) and Tel Aviv through May 8, stating it is assessing the situation with a focus on safety.
British Airways: Canceled flights to Israel for at least two days following the attack, with some sources indicating suspensions could align with other carriers’ timelines, potentially up to May 8, though exact dates vary.
Wizz Air: Suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until at least May 6, with some reports suggesting extensions to May 8 due to ongoing security concerns.
Aegean Airlines: Canceled flights for Sunday and Monday (May 4-5), with potential extensions to May 8 as airlines monitor the situation.
LOT Polish Airlines: Canceled flights on May 4-5, with possible extensions to May 8, though specific confirmation is lacking.
Azerbaijan Airlines: Canceled flights on May 4-5, with potential extensions to May 8 as part of broader safety measures.
Other airlines cancelling services included Lufthansa Group carriers Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings.
Air France, Air India, ITA Airways, Iberia, Air Europa, Delta Air Lines, and Ryanair, have canceled flights for May 4-5. Some airlines have confirmed suspensions until at least May 6 or May 7, including Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways.
Specific extensions to May 8 are not universally confirmed for these carriers, though they may align with United’s timeline due to similar security concerns.
Conclusion
Israel’s national carrier, offered special discounted flights from nearby destinations like Cyprus and Greece to assist stranded travelers. The cancellations left Israeli carriers like El Al, Arkia, and Israir handling most flights, resulting in fuller planes and higher fares.
Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, vowed a strong retaliatory response against the Houthis and their Iranian backers, with Netanyahu stating, “There will be blows.”
The situation remains fluid, with airlines continuously evaluating security.
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