Israel’s national airline, El Al, has announced its decision to cease flights to South Africa from the end of March, citing a decline in customer demand.
The airline currently operates up to two non-stop flights to Johannesburg each week.
El Al explained the decision by pointing to a significant decrease in demand among Israeli travelers to various destinations, including Johannesburg.
The suspension of activity on the Johannesburg-Tel Aviv route is set to begin at the end of March 2024.
A spokeswoman for the airline noted that Israelis are avoiding flights to South Africa, resulting in cancellations and notably empty planes.
The decision is influenced by the changing security situation and preferences of Israeli travelers.
The move comes amid tensions between South Africa and Israel, with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) set to deliver a preliminary judgment on a case brought by South Africa, accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians. Israel vehemently denies the accusation.
The spokeswoman emphasized that the Israelis’ reluctance to fly to South Africa, in contrast to their interest in other destinations, played a role in the decision to pause the route.
The company also cited the current security situation as a contributing factor.