Introduction to Flight Disruptions

Airlines around the world canceled flights to Israel and were skirting a large swath of airspace in the Middle East on Friday after Israel’s overnight missile strikes on Iran. Iran later launched drones toward Israeli territory. The flight map over the Middle East as Iran launches retaliatory attacks on Israel at 19:19 UTC on June 13th, 2025, shows the extent of the disruptions.

Flight Cancellations and Suspensions

Delta Air Lines on Friday afternoon said it was suspending its service to Tel Aviv, Israel, until at least September, just weeks after resuming flights there. It had most recently resumed flights on May 20, and as of last week Delta had said it was planning to increase service to Israel later this year from New York to two daily nonstop flights, "responding to strong winter demand." United Airlines suspended its Tel Aviv flights through July 31, and said in a statement that "we will continue to evaluate an appropriate return date with the safety of our customers and crews as our top priority."

Impact on Air Travel

Both carriers’ Tel Aviv-bound flights turned around over the Atlantic Ocean to return to the New York area after Israel’s strikes overnight. United put 26 of its crew members who were on layover in Israel on Israeli airline El Al to get back to the U.S., a spokesman said. El Al has since suspended service. "Following recent security developments and in accordance with the instructions from the state’s security and aviation authorities to close Israeli airspace, all EL AL and Sundor flights are suspended for the time being," it said on its website.

Airline Reactions and Warnings

The carrier said it won’t take bookings until at least the end of June and warned customers against going to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. "For customers currently abroad, we recommend arranging accommodation until there is a change in security directives," El Al said. "Flights that were en route to Israel have been diverted to land at various EL AL destinations." Israel closed its airspace and suspended flight operations at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel on June 13, 2025.

Global Airline Responses

Turkish Airlines and European budget carrier Wizz Air also suspended Israel flights. Germany’s Lufthansa said it was suspending Tel Aviv and Tehran service until July 31 and flights to Jordan and Lebanon until at least June 20. Emirates said it was canceling service from its base in Dubai to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran. Airlines offered travel vouchers and waived change fees to customers affected by the disruptions.

Conclusion

Escalating military conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine have forced airlines to repeatedly take longer and more costly routes to avoid conflict zones. The situation highlights the challenges faced by the aviation industry in ensuring safe and uninterrupted travel amidst geopolitical tensions.

FAQs

Q: Why are airlines canceling flights to Israel?
A: Airlines are canceling flights to Israel due to the escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran, which has led to the closure of Israeli airspace and suspension of flight operations at Ben Gurion International Airport.
Q: Which airlines have suspended flights to Israel?
A: Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, El Al, Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, and Emirates have suspended flights to Israel.
Q: What alternatives are airlines offering to affected customers?
A: Airlines are offering travel vouchers and waiving change fees to customers affected by the disruptions.
Q: How long will the flight suspensions last?
A: The duration of the flight suspensions varies by airline, with some suspending flights until July 31 and others until at least September.
Q: Are there any other regions affected by flight disruptions?
A: Yes, airlines are also avoiding airspace in Ukraine and other parts of the Middle East due to military conflicts.

Introduction to JBS

The JBS Greeley meatpacking facility in Greeley, Colorado, US, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.
Shares of Brazilian meat giant JBS rose during their U.S. public market debut on Friday.

Initial Public Offering

The opening trade of $13.65 per share values the company at roughly $30 billion, outstripping rival Tyson Foods’ market cap of about $19.82 billion. Shares closed at $13.87, a slight gain for the day.
JBS is now trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "JBS," a day later than initially expected. The company said it couldn’t conclude certain operational procedures in time to debut on Thursday. Its stock was delisted from the Sao Paolo Exchange in Brazil a week ago as part of the dual-listing plan.

Company Overview

Since its founding more than seven decades ago, JBS has grown to become the world’s largest meatpacking company. Last year, the company reported net revenue of $77.2 billion and net income of $2 billion, according to regulatory filings.
JBS operates a sprawling business worldwide, with significant divisions in Brazil, the U.S. and Australia. The company also owns more than 80% of Pilgrim’s Pride, the U.S. poultry giant.

History of the US Listing

JBS’s U.S. listing is more than 15 years in the making. The company’s U.S. subsidiary first announced plans to go public in 2009, but the move never came to fruition after two postponements. Then, in late 2016, the company said it would have a U.S. initial public offering as part of a broader reorganization strategy. But months later, the Brazilian government began investigating corruption in the meatpacking company — including among JBS and its top executives.

Corruption and Bribery Allegations

J&F Investimentos, the holding company that owns a controlling stake in JBS, paid a $3.2 billion fine in 2017 to settle bribery charges. Former chair Joesley Batista and his older brother CEO Wesley Batista, the company’s top shareholders and the sons of its founder, managed to avoid prison sentences by cooperating with prosecutors. The Batistas and J&F settled with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2020 for roughly $27 million.
The Batistas exited J&F in the wake of the scandal. However, they returned to the company’s board last year after being acquitted of insider trading charges.

Recent Developments

More recently, in October, the Brazilian government fined JBS for buying cattle that were allegedly illegally raised in protected land in the Amazon.
The company’s history of corruption and bribery allegations led to opposition to its U.S. listing from lawmakers on the both sides of the aisle, making it look unlikely that regulators would grant their approval.
After President Donald Trump’s reelection, JBS’s subsidiary Pilgrim’s Pride donated $5 million to his inauguration committee, making it the single largest donor. In a statement, the company said it had a "long bipartisan history participating in the civic process" and looked forward to working with the new administration.
The SEC approved JBS’s request to list on the New York Stock Exchange in April. JBS shareholders approved the move by a narrow margin the following month.

Conclusion

In conclusion, JBS has finally made its US public market debut, with shares rising during the first day of trading. The company’s history of corruption and bribery allegations has been a major obstacle to its US listing, but it has now overcome this hurdle. With its significant divisions in Brazil, the US, and Australia, JBS is well-positioned for future growth.

FAQs

Q: What is JBS?
A: JBS is the world’s largest meatpacking company, with significant divisions in Brazil, the US, and Australia.
Q: What was the initial public offering price of JBS shares?
A: The opening trade of $13.65 per share values the company at roughly $30 billion.
Q: Why was JBS’s US listing delayed?
A: JBS’s US listing was delayed due to the company’s history of corruption and bribery allegations, as well as opposition from lawmakers.
Q: Who are the major shareholders of JBS?
A: The Batista family, including Joesley and Wesley Batista, are the top shareholders of JBS.
Q: What is the current market capitalization of JBS?
A: The current market capitalization of JBS is roughly $30 billion.

Introduction to the Incident

At least 241 people were killed when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a residential area moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad in western India, the carrier said. There was a sole survivor from the plane who was taken to a local hospital, the airline said. The plane was bound for London Gatwick Airport.

Details of the Crash

Video posted on social media appeared to show the jetliner descending followed by a fireball and a dark plume of smoke. It marks the first fatal crash of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner plane. There were 242 people on board the more than 11-year-old aircraft: 230 passengers and 12 crew members, Air India said. Others on the ground were also killed, local officials told some media outlets.

Casualties and Response

"Approximately 294 have died. This includes some students as the plane crashed on the building where they were staying," Vidhi Chaudhary, a top state police officer, told Reuters. The signal from Air India Flight 171 was lost at 1:38 p.m. local time, less than a minute after takeoff, flight tracking site FlightRadar24 said. Those on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. The survivor is a British national originally from India, the carrier said.

Investigation and Support

Initial flight-path data "shows that the aircraft reached a maximum barometric altitude of 625 feet (airport altitude is about 200 feet) and then it started to descend with an vertical speed of -475 feet per minute," Flightradar said. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is a top-selling wide-body aircraft used on longer routes. The aircraft was delivered to Air India in 2014, according to Flightradar24. The cause of the crash and why the plane lost altitude so quickly weren’t immediately known and could take months to determine.

Reactions from Boeing and Air India

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said it will send a team of investigators to India. "We understand people are eager for information, and please know that we will continue to share accurate and timely information as soon as we can," CEO Wilson said. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a statement, "Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad." Ortberg said he spoke with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran "to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau."

Impact and Aftermath

The plane was powered by two GE Aerospace engines. "We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of those impacted," a GE spokesperson said. GE is postponing its investor day that was scheduled for next week. Flights at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, where the flight took off from, were temporarily suspended in the wake of the crash and resumed a few hours later, according to India’s government press bureau.

Conclusion

The crash of Air India Flight 171 is a tragic incident that has resulted in significant loss of life. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and it may take months to determine the exact cause. The incident has sparked an outpouring of support from Boeing, Air India, and other organizations, and the aviation industry will be watching closely as the investigation unfolds.

FAQs

Q: What type of plane was involved in the crash?
A: The plane involved in the crash was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Q: How many people were on board the plane?
A: There were 242 people on board the plane, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
Q: What was the destination of the flight?
A: The flight was bound for London Gatwick Airport.
Q: How many people were killed in the crash?
A: At least 241 people were killed in the crash.
Q: Is the cause of the crash known?
A: The cause of the crash is not yet known and is being investigated.
Q: Will there be an investigation into the cause of the crash?
A: Yes, an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Q: How has Boeing responded to the crash?
A: Boeing has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and has offered its support to the investigation.
Q: What is the status of the survivor?
A: The sole survivor of the crash is a British national originally from India, who is being treated at a local hospital.