Mideast Skies on Edge: Israeli Airlines Allow Cancellations as USS Abraham Lincoln Arrives Amid Rising Tensions

Israeli carriers, including El Al, Israir, and Arkia, have announced that passengers may cancel flights due to the "ongoing uncertainty" as regional tensions reach a boiling point. This decision follows moves by international giants like Lufthansa to suspend flights to Tehran and limit Tel Aviv and Amman operations to daytime hours only. The disruption comes as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier arrives in the Middle East, signaling a significant U.S. military buildup.

Military sources describe the coming week as "decisive," with the U.S. reportedly deploying THAAD missile defense batteries to bolster Israeli ground defenses. Following President Donald Trump’s stern warnings to Tehran regarding its nuclear program and domestic protests, the aviation sector is bracing for potential escalations that could severely impact Middle Eastern airspace and travel safety.