US Israel Air Link Reinvigorated as Delta Air Lines Breaks Ground with Early Restart of New York JFK to Tel Aviv Flights Amid Security Challenges

American Airlines has also kept its flights suspended, following an October halt triggered by an escalation of hostilities after Hamas attacks in southern Israel. This cautious stance mirrors a broader hesitation among international carriers grappling with an unpredictable security environment.

The disruption to air travel was precipitated by a missile strike on May 4 launched by Houthi militants from Yemen. The attack breached both U.S. and Israeli missile defense systems and landed alarmingly close to Ben-Gurion Airport. This unprecedented event led to immediate cancellations and suspensions by many airlines, even as some had only recently resumed flights during the spring.

The missile attack also highlighted the complexities of regional security and the vulnerability of vital infrastructure to unconventional threats. Airlines operating in conflict zones often face abrupt disruptions, necessitating flexible operational planning and close cooperation with security authorities.