El Al Cancels Planned Direct Flights from Tel Aviv to Hanoi Due to Security Restrictions

El Al announced on Thursday that it must cancel the launch of its direct flight route from Tel Aviv to Hanoi, originally scheduled to begin in October 2024. The Israeli security authorities responsible for aviation security, operating under the guidelines of the Shin Bet, informed the airline that it could not grant the necessary approvals for flights operated by Israeli aircraft and crews. This route was part of El Al's major expansion into East Asia, announced in June 2024, which included nine new destinations such as Hanoi, Seoul, and Manila. The airline had planned to operate three weekly flights to Hanoi, with tickets initially priced from $899 round-trip.

Vietnam has become an increasingly popular destination for Israeli travelers in recent years, and Arkia Airlines already operates direct flights to Hanoi and announced a new route to Ho Chi Minh City. Prior to the cancellation, El Al had received preliminary approvals from relevant authorities, including security agencies, and invested resources in preparing for the route. However, after completing operational and commercial arrangements, the airline was informed that final security clearance would not be granted, forcing it to cancel the service.

El Al is offering affected passengers several options at no extra cost: flying to Hanoi via Bangkok with a connecting flight on a foreign carrier, changing to another El Al destination on the same dates, receiving a full refund, or obtaining a credit voucher for future use. The cancellations will be implemented gradually according to scheduled departure dates, and passengers will receive detailed notifications starting next week regarding their options.