Middle East Air Spaces Closed Following Airstrikes on Iran

Transportation Developing Story

Israel's Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv has canceled all flights until further notice following Israel's airstrikes on Iran, according to the airport. In addition, Jordan closed its airspace, as did Iran and Iraq, according to Reuters. "Thousands" of flights have been canceled or are being diverted.

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines operate flights to Tel Aviv, and each of those routes have been suspended. American Airlines had not yet resumed flights between the U.S. and Tel Aviv.

"United will continue to monitor the situation and will work to assist our customers through this disruption," the carrier said in a statement. "We arranged seats on El Al out of Tel Aviv for 26 crewmembers who were on layover and now on their way home safely."

United's Flight 84 from Newark Liberty International Airport to Tel Aviv returned to Newark. Flight 90 on Thursday from Newark to Tel Aviv had been canceled. Flight 91 had departed Tel Aviv for Newark when the closure began, and the plane continued to Newark.

A company spokesperson emailed BTN that EWR-TLV flights are suspended through June 30, 2025. The return flight, TLV-EWR will be canceled through July 1. "We will continue to evaluate future flights for the safety of our crew and customers," they wrote.

Delta has paused its flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Tel Aviv through Aug. 31, and has issued a travel waiver for customers affected during that time.

"The safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority," Delta said in a statement. The carrier is "continuously monitoring the evolving security environment and assessing our operations based on security guidance and intelligence reports."

Prior to Israel's strikes on Iran, the U.S. State Department pulled some personnel out of the Middle East, according to Reuters. 

On Wednesday, the State Department updated its travel advisory for Iraq: "On June 11, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel due to heightened regional tensions." 

Per the U.S. embassy in Israel's website, the department on Thursday restricted U.S. government employees and their family members from travel outside the greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva regions until further notice.

The State Department also had authorized voluntary departures from Bahrain and Kuwait, according to Reuters.

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This story has been updated to include comments from Delta Air Lines.