KLM to suspend Tel Aviv flights indefinitely from March 1

2026-02-25 - 21:02

Dutch flag carrier KLM announced Wednesday that it will suspend flights to Tel Aviv indefinitely starting Sunday, March 1, citing "operational and commercial" reasons for the decision. The airline will no longer operate services to Israel's main international gateway, Ben Gurion Airport, according to news agency ANP. Airline Statement "KLM continuously adapts its global network to market demand and operational circumstances. At this time, it is not commercially and operationally feasible for KLM to operate flights to Tel Aviv," a spokeswoman said. The indefinite suspension follows a temporary halt in January, when the airline determined that flying over several Middle Eastern countries was unsafe. Safety Questions Remain When asked whether safety concerns continued to factor into the latest decision, KLM declined to comment. The silence on security issues leaves open questions about whether the suspension is purely commercial or reflects ongoing unease about regional stability. The carrier's January suspension was explicitly linked to safety assessments, but the current announcement avoids addressing security directly. Regional Context The decision comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, including the ongoing US-Iran nuclear standoff and continued Israeli military operations despite the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire. Several international airlines have periodically suspended or adjusted Middle East routes in response to security developments. KLM's indefinite suspension suggests the carrier sees no near-term prospect for restoring commercially viable operations to Tel Aviv, potentially impacting travel and business ties between the Netherlands and Israel.