With the conflict between Israel and Hamas nearing its one-year anniversary, airlines that initially sought to restart their service to the country are showing some hesitation.

American Airlines, for one, is extending its suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv due to the escalating tensions in Gaza.

According to the U.S.-based airline, operations at Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) will be suspended through March 29, 2025, and its travel alert will be extended further.

Passengers impacted by the suspension can rebook their flight without a fee or cancel for a refund, the airline says.

"We will continue to work closely with our partner airlines to assist customers traveling between Israel and European cities with service to the U.S.," the airline said in a statement on Monday (Aug. 19).

The airline says customers have until March 29 to make changes. Travel must be completed within a year of the original ticket date, and the difference in fare may apply.

READ MORE: When war breaks out: How this travel advisor stopped a trip to Israel at the last minute

Following the outbreak of the Middle East war in October 2023, American Airlines halted all flights to and from Tel Aviv, a city on Israel’s Mediterranean coast.

Delta Air Lines, meanwhile, has extended its pause on flights to Israel through the end of August, while has United Airlines similarly paused service between its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Tel Aviv.

Both Delta and United had initially stopped flying to Tel Aviv in October 2023 after Israel declared war on Hamas following a violent invasion of the country's borders and an ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, but each had resumed travelling there this past spring and summer.

Air Canada extends goodwill policy

In Canada, the suspension of Israel flights that Air Canada previously announced until October 15 remains in place, and so far, there are no changes, wrote airline spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick in an email to PAX on Monday,

An extended goodwill policy, however, was posted to Air Canada website yesterday. Fitzpatrick said the policy was extended to November 30 to give customers some flexibility. 

READ MORE: Canada upgrades advisory for Israel to highest risk level

Travellers currently scheduled to travel to, from or via Tel Aviv (TLV) are allowed to make voluntary changes to their itinerary if they purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than August 19, 2024, for travel between August 19, 2024, and September 15, 2024. 

Those that are scheduled to travel during the affected period can retrieve their booking and change their flight, free of charge, to another date between now and November 30, 2024, based on the fare originally purchased, the airline says.

Otherwise, any fare differences will apply. The new flight can be operated by Air Canada or by one of its codeshare partners. 

“If you choose to cancel your flight, you will receive a full refund,” Air Canada says.

Passengers can also choose to fly to/from another destination and will not charged any change fees (but any fare differences will apply, the airline says).

Canada upgrades advisory to highest risk level

The unpredictable security situation in Israel has once again led Global Affairs Canada to tell Canadians to avoid the Middle Eastern country.

Earlier this month, regional conflicts led to Canada issuing an upgraded travel advisory as armed conflict in Israel could affect people's ability to leave the country on commercial flights.

The advisory adds that travellers should not rely on the Canadian government to help them evacuate.

“The security situation can deteriorate further without warning,” the alert reads.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.