Flights to Israel are resumed by United and Delta airlines, while other carriers postpone resumption of their services
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are set to resume flights to Israel from next week, marking a gradual return of commercial air service to the country.
The American carriers will restart operations on the Newark-Tel Aviv route from June 5, with United offering two daily flights beginning June 6. This announcement comes following a temporary suspension by several airlines due to heightened regional tensions and a missile strike at Ben Gurion Airport.
Notably, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, and easyJet are among the airlines that have yet to resume flights to Israel, citing ongoing security concerns and direct missile threats near the airport. Specifically, the recently reported ballistic missile attack by Houthi forces, which hit the grounds of Ben Gurion Airport, has contributed to this precautionary decision by these airlines to prioritize passenger and crew safety.
Lufthansa and its subsidiaries, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, have extended their suspension until mid-June. Air France has halted flights for an extended period, British Airways cancelled flights until early August, and easyJet has suspended operations to Israel until at least the end of June or early July.
Other airlines, like Ryanair, have faced disruptions and are "forced to cancel flights" to Israel until at least the beginning of August, highlighting the impact of the ongoing regional instability on air travel. Opposition head MK Yair Lapid has pointed out that potential insurance reimbursement could have prevented these cancellations, echoing the efforts taken by the government in the past to stabilize the situation and encourage airline businesses.
Amidst this evolving situation, United and Delta are making a significant step in restoring normalcy to air travel to Israel. The airlines' return service comes as a positive development, offering more options for travelers and boosting the economy while remaining mindful of the ongoing security issues in the region.
- The resumption of flights by United Airlines and Delta Air Lines to Israel from next week signals a step towards normalizing the aviation industry, particularly the transportation sector, in the country.
- The finance sector may benefit from this gradual return of commercial air service, as increased travel options can stimulate economic growth in Israel and boost the travel and lifestyle sector.
- Despite the resumption of flights by some airlines, ongoing security concerns persist, as evidenced by the extended suspensions by Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, and easyJet, among others, raising questions about the long-term impact of regional instability on the aviation industry.
