Eight European airlines resume flights to Israel: dates named
Photo: Flights to Israel (RBK-Ukraine collage)
Eight European airlines are gearing up to partially resume flights to Israel in the coming month. The operation of routes will be contingent on the security situation, according to schengenvisainfo.com.
Which airlines will resume flights to Israel in January
In January, according to the Israel Airports Authority, eight foreign airlines are planning to partially resume flights to Israel in January and early February. Three carriers are preparing to launch specific routes in January: Air France, Bluebird Airways, and Bulgaria Air. Four more airlines - TUS, Transavia, LOT, and Vueling - intend to reintroduce some flights during the month as well. In early February, Air Europa plans to resume flights to Madrid.
At the same time, airlines will monitor the developments in the security situation. If the situation deteriorates, carriers may review their plans and once again suspend flights to Israel.
Photo: Swiss Airlines plane at Tel Aviv airport (flickr.com/Chris Hoare)
Earlier this week, Lufthansa Group, including its subsidiaries SWISS and Austrian Airlines, resumed flights to this country. This also applies to Tarom from Romania and Aegean Airlines from Greece.
Airlines that have canceled or reduced flights to Israel
Following the escalation of the conflict in October 2023, some airlines canceled or reduced flights to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. Specifically: Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Air India, Turkish Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, Air Canada, Emirates, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair, Norwegian Air, TAP.
During this time, Israeli airlines El Al, Israir, and Arkia operated a limited number of flights. Additionally, some foreign airlines continued their flights to Israel throughout the conflict, including Flydubai, Ethiopian Airlines, and Etihad Airways.
Photo: The plane of the Israeli airline El Al (pixabay.com)
How the passenger traffic at the Tel Aviv airport decreased
The passenger traffic at Ben Gurion Airport has nearly halved. In October 2023, 1,172,000 international passengers passed through the air gates, which is 41% less than in October 2022. On the other hand, the number of flights in October 2023 was 28.9% lower than in October 2022.
Photo: Passengers at Ben Gurion Airport (unsplash.com)
Despite the situation, Ben Gurion Airport continues to operate, and there have been reports of a slight increase in daily passenger traffic in recent weeks.
It is worth noting, that major European airlines have resumed flights to Israel, with services originating from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
