Thursday, July 10, 2025
Israel has been cleared for takeoff proudly as the European Aviation Authority has cleared all in-flight restrictions in position during last month’s violent stand-off with Iran, signaling renewed faith in air safety in the region. The sensational policy U-turn comes after the end to the 12-day stand-off, during which Israeli airspace had been largely closed, causing cancellation of massive numbers of flights. With security situation normalizing and global advisories easing, the development paves the way for the return of operations by the European airlines to Tel Aviv in stages, restoring Israel’s air connectivity to the world and tourism pace.
Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport is gradually regaining its rhythm after weeks of near standstill due to the recent 12-day military conflict with Iran. Despite the formal lifting of flight advisories and the reopening of Israeli airspace, most European carriers are not rushing back. The return of international connectivity to Israel, particularly from Europe, remains slow and staggered, with major airlines postponing their resumption of services until later in the year.
Airspace Reopened but Flights Remain Sparse
The European Union’s top aviation authority has officially withdrawn its previous guidance that advised carriers to steer clear of Israeli airspace. This recommendation, originally issued during the height of hostilities between Israel and Iran, was withdrawn after a comprehensive reassessment of security conditions. The move aligns with similar updates issued by several Western governments that have softened their travel advisories following the end of hostilities.
Yet, even with safety green lights in place, European airline operations into Tel Aviv remain limited. Air France was the first significant European carrier to re-establish its connection to Israel, operating its first flight back to Tel Aviv on a Monday in early July. Spanish carrier Air Europa is preparing to follow, announcing its planned service restart on July 15.
Meanwhile, German national airline Lufthansa and U.S.-based United Airlines are set to resume flights on August 1. These developments suggest a gradual recovery trajectory, but broader restoration of routes is not expected until autumn.
Airline Caution Despite High Demand
Israel has historically represented a lucrative route for many foreign airlines. The consistent demand, strong business and tourism connections, and robust passenger volumes through Ben-Gurion Airport made Tel Aviv a regular feature on numerous European carriers’ route maps. However, many airlines remain hesitant to reallocate aircraft to Israel in the immediate aftermath of the conflict.
One reason is logistical: aircraft previously assigned to Tel Aviv routes have already been redeployed to other destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. With airlines operating on tight schedules and resources, reversing such reassignments mid-summer season proves complex.
Moreover, airlines are also factoring in passenger behavior. Travel agents report that most Israeli travelers have already booked summer vacations elsewhere, opting for stable nearby destinations like Greece and Cyprus. These countries offer attractive pricing, ease of access, and perceived safety during uncertain times.
Tel Aviv’s Recovery in Numbers
Though airline hesitancy is evident, passenger movement through Ben-Gurion Airport is steadily increasing. Data from early July show more than 52,000 passengers traveling through the airport in one day, with nearly 28,800 departures and 23,500 arrivals recorded. This is a modest but encouraging increase from the war’s immediate aftermath and just slightly below figures from the day before the conflict began.
The pace of recovery is also affected by war-related airline cancellations that extended well into the summer. The majority of European carriers postponed their Tel Aviv operations, with most planning to resume flights no earlier than late July or into August. Even now, many of Europe’s largest low-cost carriers have no scheduled flights to Israel until at least September or October.
British Airways, Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air—typically among the top carriers operating into and out of Tel Aviv—have not confirmed earlier resumptions, citing ongoing assessments of the region’s stability and operational considerations.
Strategic Hubs and Competitive Pressures
European airlines operate from multiple hubs, and their decisions to delay returning to Israel reflect both strategic caution and competitive logistics. For instance, Lufthansa operates from Frankfurt and Munich—both major global transfer points—and must balance Israel-bound traffic with intercontinental connections that require complex planning.
Budget airlines face different constraints. With aggressive scheduling to maximize aircraft utilization, these carriers cannot easily shift resources mid-season. They also rely heavily on consumer confidence, which takes longer to restore after regional unrest.
Greece and Cyprus Emerge as Israeli Favorites
As Israel recovers from the dual crises of conflict with Hamas and the recent escalation with Iran, outbound travel patterns are shifting. Driven by a preference for nearby and stable travel options, a growing number of Israeli travelers have made Greece their leading holiday choice. According to data from the Israel Airports Authority, Greece outpaced the United States as the leading destination for Israeli travelers last year.
Proximity, affordability, and well-established tourism infrastructure make Greece and Cyprus attractive alternatives. These destinations provide not just sun and sea, but also the convenience of short flight times and multiple daily departures. Airlines serving these routes have seen consistent load factors, highlighting the demand shift.
Airlines Recalibrate for Autumn Resumption
Most airlines expect to resume regular service to Israel during the fall season, aligning with the traditional shift from leisure to business travel. European flag carriers anticipate a more stable environment by then and have begun preparations for route restoration.
Lufthansa has announced its intention to restart flights to Tel Aviv on August 1, with plans to ramp up service frequency further as September approaches. United Airlines mirrors this timeline, and other carriers like Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, and KLM are likely to follow.
Airlines are closely monitoring diplomatic developments and security briefings from intelligence sources. The absence of further escalation post-conflict provides confidence, but a full recovery hinges on long-term regional stability.
Impact on Israel’s Economy and Aviation Sector
The war-induced interruption in flight connectivity has had ripple effects on Israel’s aviation sector. Ben-Gurion International Airport experienced dramatic reductions in flight frequency and passenger volumes during the height of the conflict. Airlines withdrew aircraft, leading to cascading operational impacts on tourism, trade, and logistics.
The transportation ministry is now working to expedite the return of air service by coordinating with airlines and easing regulatory constraints. Officials have expressed optimism that the lifting of European advisories will encourage quicker recovery.
Israel’s tourism-dependent economy relies significantly on robust air connectivity. The delayed return of European carriers affects not only passenger traffic but also air cargo volumes and hospitality revenue streams.
Business Travel and Diplomatic Engagements Also Affected
The slow return of flights has also disrupted business travel and diplomatic engagements. With Israel a key player in sectors like technology, defense, and innovation, its absence from major European carrier schedules affects corporate connectivity.
Executives, investors, and officials from European nations typically rely on direct flights for regular exchanges with Israeli counterparts. The delay in resuming these routes forces detours through other hubs or reliance on connecting flights via third countries, reducing efficiency.
Recovery Scenarios
Aviation analysts predict that Israel’s full reintegration into the European airline network will occur gradually across Q3 and Q4. Factors influencing this include:
- Continued political stability in the Middle East.
- Passenger confidence recovery as advisory levels normalize.
- Aircraft availability amid global fleet shortages.
- Economic conditions in both Israel and Europe affecting travel budgets.
As Israel’s skies continue to clear, carriers will eventually rebuild Tel Aviv into their schedules. For now, the nation is relying heavily on the limited services of a few early-returning airlines and regional connections to keep its aviation lifeline open.
In a major breakthrough for regional air travel, Israel has regained full flight clearance after the European Aviation Authority lifted all restrictions, citing enhanced security measures and stabilized skies in the aftermath of the intense conflict with Iran. The action is the first significant step to resume international flights and restore Israel’s connectivity to key European markets.
Cautious Optimism as Tel Aviv Waits for European Airlines
While Israel has reopened its skies and government advisories have softened, the return of European airlines remains slow. Air France and a handful of others are leading the way, but most carriers have scheduled fall resumptions. In the meantime, travelers are turning to nearby destinations, and Israel’s aviation industry is working hard to regain its momentum. The country’s skies are ready—but the planes are still catching up.
