Following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in January 2025, prior to President Trump’s inauguration, airlines are beginning to restore flights to Tel Aviv. United Airlines will be the first U.S. carrier to resume service, with daily flights between New York/Newark and Tel Aviv restarting on March 15, 2025. A second daily flight is set to begin on March 29, 2025.
United Airlines emphasized its longstanding commitment to serving Israel, citing careful coordination with flight attendants and pilots to ensure a safe return to service. The airline’s decision is expected to set a precedent for other carriers considering a return to Tel Aviv.
Other Airlines Planning to Resume Flights to Israel
While United Airlines is leading the charge among U.S. carriers, Delta Air Lines has announced plans to resume its daily nonstop service from New York (JFK) to Tel Aviv on April 1, 2025, operating with an Airbus A330-900neo.
Among European carriers, Air France resumed flights between Paris and Tel Aviv on January 25, 2025, while the Lufthansa Group (including Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings) restarted flights on February 1, 2025. British Airways plans to resume flights on April 5, 2025.
Low-cost carriers are also returning:
- Arkia, Israel’s low cost carrier, recently launched its first flights from NYC to TLV
- Wizz Air resumed flights to Tel Aviv and Amman on January 16, 2025.
- EasyJet plans to restart flights on June 1, 2025.
Additionally, ITA Airways of Italy restarted flights between Rome and Tel Aviv on February 1, 2025, with an extra nighttime flight planned for February 16, 2025. Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines is considering a partial resumption in June 2025, with full operations expected by October 2025.
Impact on Israel’s Tourism Industry
The return of major airlines is a crucial step toward revitalizing Israel’s tourism sector, which contributed approximately 2.8% of the country’s GDP before recent disruptions. The ongoing return of flights is expected to boost hotels, transportation, and local businesses, but the speed of recovery remains uncertain.
While the ceasefire has allowed airlines to reconsider their Tel Aviv routes, industry leaders stress that continued stability in the region will be key to maintaining these services in the long term.
United Airlines’ decision to return to Tel Aviv marks a major milestone in re-establishing global connectivity with Israel. As other airlines follow suit, Israel’s aviation and tourism sectors anticipate a slow but steady return to pre-conflict operations.
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