El Al Israel Airlines Suspends Johannesburg Route Amidst Drop in Demand
El Al Israel Airlines has announced that it will be suspending its route to Johannesburg at the end of March due to a significant decrease in demand. This decision comes after South Africa accused Israel of genocide at the World Court, leading to a negative impact on travel between the two countries.
Israel’s flag carrier currently operates up to two nonstop flights per week to Johannesburg. However, the airline has noticed a sharp decline in bookings, with many Israelis choosing not to travel to South Africa.
“Israelis don’t want to fly to South Africa,” stated an El Al spokesperson. “They are cancelling flights and planes are pretty empty… We understand that the situation has changed.”
In addition to the drop in demand, El Al also cited the current security situation as a factor in their decision to suspend the route. The airline wants to prioritize the safety and preferences of its passengers.
U.N. Judges to Rule on South Africa’s Request for Emergency Measures
On Friday, U.N. judges will make a ruling on South Africa’s request for emergency measures against Israel. One of the requested measures is that Israel halts its military operations in Gaza, as South Africa accuses Israel of state-led genocide at the World Court.
Last October, Hamas, an Islamist group, launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the death of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of over 240 others. In response, Israel carried out a heavy offensive in Gaza, which has led to a significant loss of life.
Israel has firmly opposed the case and has asked the court to reject it entirely. A spokesperson for the Israeli government stated that they expect the U.N.’s top court to dismiss these “spurious and specious charges.”
South Africa argued two weeks ago that Israel’s military actions were aimed at the destruction of the population in Gaza.
El Al’s Future Plans
Once El Al suspends its Johannesburg route, the airline intends to utilize the widebody aircraft previously assigned to that route for other destinations. El Al plans to expand its current flights to North America and add new routes to Bangkok and Tokyo in Asia.
The decision to suspend the route to Johannesburg reflects El Al’s commitment to meeting the needs and preferences of its passengers. By redirecting resources to high-demand destinations, the airline aims to ensure a positive travel experience for its customers.
El Al Israel Airlines continues to prioritize safety and security while exploring opportunities for growth and expansion in the aviation industry.
