LOT adjusts flight operations due to regional security concerns

fot. PLL LOT

Polish Airlines LOT has temporarily suspended flights to Tel Aviv and altered its routes to India in response to escalating security risks in the Middle East and South Asia.

Following a ballistic missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Sunday—launched from Yemen by Houthi militants—LOT has halted all operations to Israel until at least May 11. The suspension affects both scheduled services from Warsaw and Kraków, as well as flights operated by the HelloJets aircraft based in Tel Aviv. According to LOT spokesperson Krzysztof Moczulski, the measure is precautionary and prioritizes passenger and crew safety.

This incident marks the first time since March that Israel’s multi-layered air defense system failed to intercept an incoming projectile. The situation has prompted similar decisions by other international carriers, including Lufthansa, Ryanair, and Wizz Air, who have also suspended services to Israel.

At the same time, LOT is adjusting its India-bound flight paths. With Pakistani airspace currently closed due to the ongoing Kashmir conflict, LOT’s Dreamliners flying to Delhi and Mumbai will now follow a southern route. This detour takes them over Iraq, the Persian Gulf, and the Arabian Sea, potentially extending flight times by up to an hour.

The Polish Embassy in Islamabad has advised against travel to Pakistan, highlighting the growing instability in the region. LOT emphasizes that it is closely monitoring developments and will continue to align its operations with guidance from relevant authorities and international bodies.