Foreign airlines begin returning to Israel as major carriers keep flights suspended

Foreign airlines gradually resuming service to and from Israel, though major carriers remain skittish amid fears Iran war could reignite.

By World Israel News Staff

Several foreign airlines resumed flights to Israel over the weekend, even as major US and European carriers continued to keep Tel Aviv routes suspended amid lingering security concerns over regional airspace.

Azerbaijan Airlines restarted service between Baku and Tel Aviv on Sunday, with 14 weekly flights planned, while Uzbekistan-based Centrum Air resumed flights to Samarkand and Tashkent.

Ukrainian low-cost carrier SkyUp also returned with flights to Chisinau, Moldova, according to a report published by Israel Hayom.

TAROM, Romania’s flag carrier, resumed flights between Bucharest and Tel Aviv overnight Saturday.

More airlines are expected to return later this month. Hainan Airlines is slated to resume flights on May 12, Smartwings on May 20, and Fly One on May 22.

But a number of major foreign carriers are still staying away.

Wizz Air has delayed its return until May 19 after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency extended its warning for Middle East airspace.

EASA said the region remains vulnerable to “spill-over risks, misidentification, miscalculation and failure of interception procedures” following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliatory attacks.

Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, has extended cancellations to and from Ben Gurion Airport through June 30, though it said some flights could resume earlier in June depending on a security assessment. Affected passengers will be offered rebooking or refunds, the group said.

Air France has canceled flights through May 10. Air Europa and Air India are canceling through May 31, while British Airways is canceling through June 30.

US and Canadian airlines are keeping the longest suspensions in place. United Airlines has canceled Tel Aviv service through Sept. 7, while Air Canada is canceling through the same date and American Airlines through Sept. 8. United said in April, “We look forward to resuming flights when it’s safe to do so.”

The staggered return leaves Israeli travelers with more options than during the peak disruption, but still heavily reliant on Israeli carriers El Al, Israir, and Arkia on many major routes. Ben Gurion Airport has reopened and flights are gradually resuming, though travelers are still being advised to check directly with airlines before booking.

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