Security Concerns Force El Al To Cancel Direct Hanoi Flights

El Al has canceled plans to launch nonstop flights between Israel and Hanoi after Israeli security authorities declined to authorize the route for operation with Israeli aircraft and flight crews.

The airline announced Thursday that the direct service to Vietnam's capital, scheduled to begin in October, will not proceed due to the denial of necessary security clearance. El Al had unveiled the route in February and begun ticket sales, but with the inaugural flight two months away, decided to abandon the launch.

The airline initially received preliminary approval from relevant government agencies, including security officials, before announcing the service. After investing significant resources into operational and commercial preparations, El Al was subsequently informed that final authorization would not be granted.

According to the airline, Israeli security officials responsible for aviation protection determined, following Shin Bet security guidelines, that they could not approve flights to Hanoi under the proposed arrangement using Israeli aircraft and crews. Without this approval, El Al said it could not proceed.

Passengers with existing tickets will be offered alternatives at no additional cost, including rerouting to Hanoi through Bangkok on a connecting flight operated by a foreign airline, transferring their booking to another El Al destination, receiving a full refund, or accepting a travel voucher. Affected flights will be removed from the reservation system gradually, with customers receiving direct notification of their options beginning next week.

Israeli travelers will still have access to direct Hanoi flights through Arkia, which already operates the route.