El Al cancels Tel Aviv-Hanoi flight route after Shin Bet denies security authorization

El Al canceled its planned Tel Aviv-Hanoi route after failing to obtain security authorization from the Shin Bet. The airline sought permits to operate flights with Israeli crew and planes but was denied. Customers were offered replacement flights, connecting options, or refunds. The route was set to launch in October, announced in February alongside other new destinations.

El Al canceled its planned flight route between Tel Aviv and Hanoi, Vietnam, after failing to obtain security approval from the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency). The airline announced the cancellation on Thursday, stating it had sought permission from Israel's security establishment to operate the flights but was told it could not obtain the necessary permits to fly the route using Israeli crew and planes. El Al apologized to customers, offering reimbursement options including replacement flights to other locations, connecting flights to Hanoi with alternate airlines, or full refunds in cash or vouchers. The route was scheduled to launch in October. El Al had announced the route in February, alongside new routes to Manila, Seoul, Sardinia, Sicily, Switzerland, and Croatia. According to El Al's announcement at the time, the new routes would "provide an optimal solution for business travelers and will strengthen economic ties between Israel and Asia."