Virgin Atlantic delays resuming flights to Israel amid Middle East escalation

Virgin Atlantic has announced it will extend the suspension of its flights to Israel after a “security and safety assessment”, as hostilities in the Middle East escalated overnight. The airline will resume its daily flight in both directions between Heathrow and Tel Aviv from September 25. It had been one of many carriers which suspended flights to Israel in October last year, after the start of the country’s conflict with Hamas. Wizz Air and British Airways resumed operations to the country in March and April, respectively. Flights operated by Virgin Atlantic had been due to restart on September 5. The delay comes after the Israeli military said it had launched “pre-emptive” strikes against the militant group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Sunday.<br/>