Airlines scramble to cancel or suspend flights to Tel Aviv in wake of rocket attack near airport

A missile is launched by an "Iron Dome" battery, a short-range missile defence system designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells. DAVID BUIMOVITCH/AFP/Getty Images



(CNN) --US Airways, United Airlines and Delta Airlines are all cancelling flights to Tel Aviv Israel due to a nearby rocket attack.

Citing "reports of a rocket or associated debris" near Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Delta said it suspended service between its hub in New York and Tel Aviv "to ensure the safety and security of our customers and employees."

One immediate effect: Flight 469, which left New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport with 273 passengers Tuesday, diverted to Paris' Charles de Gualle airport instead of heading to Tel Aviv as scheduled, the airline said.

"Delta continues to work closely with U.S. and other government resources to monitor the situation," Delta said.