Air Canada Cancels Flights to Tel Aviv

Air Canada has canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv following Iran’s attack on Israel last Saturday. 

On April 13, Iran launched an unprecedented aerial strike at Israel, Reuters reports. Almost all of the missiles were intercepted during the five-hour attack, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.

Following news of the attack, Air Canada suspended Saturday’s flight to Tel Aviv, citing “government or regulatory restrictions outside our control” on its website. “Due to the recent developments in the Middle East, operations to and from Tel Aviv are currently paused and we are cancelling the flights from Toronto scheduled on Saturday 13, Monday 15, and Tuesday 16 as well as the corresponding return flights,” an Air Canada representative told TMR. “We are very closely monitoring the situation and will adjust accordingly.”

The Canadian air carrier normally operates four non-stop, return flights weekly. At the time of writing, Thursday’s flight (April 18) remains scheduled.

Air Canada resumed flights to Tel Aviv on April 9, following a six-month suspension of service. The carrier suspended service on Oct. 8 at the onset of the Israel and Hamas conflict. 

Iran’s attack has caused multiple flight disruptions across the globe. Several international airlines have either canceled or rerouted flights, and are closely monitoring the situation in Israel.

The Government of Canada is advising Canadians to avoid all travel to Israel and the Gaza strip because of the ongoing armed conflict in the region. 

“With a heightened risk of attacks on Israeli territory, the regional security situation remains highly volatile & could escalate without notice,” Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly posted on X on Friday. “Canadians should consider leaving by commercial means.”