Delta Air Lines plans to add flights from Europe for U.S. citizens evacuating Israel to get back home and said it is donating $1 million to the Red Cross to help fund humanitarian efforts in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Delta is partnering with the U.S. government, with the airline planning to operate flights from Athens, Greece to repatriate U.S. citizens.
The war prompted Atlanta-based Delta and other U.S. airlines to suspend flights to and from Israel. Delta had flights between Tel Aviv and Atlanta, Boston and New York, making up a little over 1% of its total flight capacity. Those flights are suspended through Oct. 31.
“We don’t know how this will evolve yet, so we’re staying very fluid,” said Delta President Glen Hauenstein during an investor conference call Thursday.
The U.S. State Department said that starting Friday, it will arrange charter flights to help U.S. citizens and their immediate family members to leave Israel.
“From these locations, individuals will be able to make their own onward travel arrangements to their destination of their choice,” the State Dept. said, adding that its senior officials are working with airlines on additional flight options.
“Right now we’re looking at providing some additional lift to Europe to get people out,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian on Thursday morning. “We don’t have any plans to be flying into Israel. It’s considered unsafe for a U.S. carrier to operate in that airspace currently.”
The airline is donating $1 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross to help fund humanitarian efforts for health services, emergency care, ambulance services and other needs, Bastian said.
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