In the midst of ongoing tensions and challenges in the region, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has raised concerns regarding the influence of the State Department over the suspension of flights to and from Israel by American airlines. Last week, Cruz suggested that the administration may have played a role in inducing these carriers to halt their services indefinitely.
Cruz voiced his worries in The Jewish Insider, stating, “The Biden-Harris administration was lax in pursuing why some airlines will not fly to Israel.” He went on to imply that the situation might be more complex, hinting that the State Department could be improperly involved in discussions about safety, thus complicating the operations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The recent suspension of flights has created significant disruption for travelers who frequently journey to Israel for business or personal reasons, a condition exacerbated since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Major U.S. airlines like American, United, and Delta announced in September that they would halt their flights at least until April 2025, and United has yet to provide a timeline for restoring its operations.
Further complicating matters, claims of antisemitic discrimination have surfaced, with allegations indicating that calls from labor unions to stop flying to Israel are influenced by pro-Hamas sentiments. Cruz mentions these accusations, asserting that American law prohibits U.S. companies from engaging in politically motivated boycotts against Israel.
Unions representing flight crews have cited security risks as a major factor underlying their decisions to suspend operations. It’s important to note that European airlines, including the Lufthansa Group, have made similar choices in this climate of uncertainty.
However, the head of Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority, Shmuel Zakai, has asserted that flights in and out of Ben Gurion Airport are “absolutely safe.” Zakai emphasized that the airspace is closed only when deemed unsafe, referencing Iran’s missile attacks while reinforcing that Israel has earned international credibility for its careful management of airspace safety.
On a positive note, some airlines are beginning to resume operations. The Greek airline Aegean resumed flights recently, while Wizzair is set to restart limited services this month. LOT Polish Airways is scheduled to lift its flight suspension shortly, aiming for December 22.
This abrupt halt in services has left El Al as essentially the only major airline still operating direct routes between the U.S. and Tel Aviv, complicating travel plans for many who may need to fly on short notice.
Looking ahead, the situation may become a focal point in 2025 when Cruz takes the helm of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in the new Congress, potentially leading to further investigations into the actions of U.S. airlines and the State Department regarding these significant travel disruptions.
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