Delta Airlines has decided to cancel all flights to Israel after a rocket landed in the greater Tel Aviv area near Ben Gurion International airport.

On Twitter the American carrier said: “Delta suspends TLV operations until further notice.”

The policy follows a decision by Delta to divert a flight bound for Israel from New York which instead landed in Paris.

In a statement on its website, the airline said: “Delta flight 468, a Boeing 747 from JFK with 273 passengers and 17 crew, diverted to Paris-Charles de Gaulle on Tuesday after reports of a rocket or associated debris near the airport in Tel Aviv. Delta is working to reaccommodate these customers.”

Analysts suggest that the move could prompt other airlines to follow suit which would have a major impact on the Israeli economy.

Hamas’ acquisition of longer-range rockets and missiles means it can now target Ben Gurion.