The global aviation sector is beginning to show early signs of recovery following the ceasefire with Iran, as British Airways announced it will resume flights to Israel starting July 1.

The British carrier is the first international airline to set a firm date for returning service to Ben Gurion Airport since the outbreak of the recent regional conflict, despite continued fighting along the northern front and ongoing rocket fire in parts of the country.

However, the airline made clear that operations will not return to full capacity. Service on the Tel Aviv–London route will initially be scaled back to one daily flight, compared to the two daily flights that operated before the crisis.

The reduction in flights to Israel is part of a broader strategic adjustment across the Middle East, rather than a move limited to a single destination.

Ongoing disruptions caused by the regional conflict have forced the airline to reevaluate demand and scheduling. Under its updated plan, flights to key destinations such as Dubai and Doha will also be reduced to one per day beginning July 1.

In addition, service to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia will be cut from two daily flights to one starting in mid-May. The most significant change in the region is the decision to permanently cancel the route to Jeddah.

These changes come after months of severe disruptions to global aviation. The escalation involving the United States and Israel against Iran led to the cancellation of more than 21,000 flights worldwide, as airspace closures and safety concerns disrupted routes between Europe and Asia and complicated airline operations.

Aircraft freed up by the reduced Middle East schedule will not remain idle. British Airways plans to redeploy those planes to markets currently seen as more stable and profitable.

The airline is shifting resources to expand service to Nairobi in Africa and Bengaluru in India, along with increasing flight frequencies to other cities across the Indian subcontinent, including Delhi and Hyderabad.

British Airways had suspended much of its service to the region in late February at the start of the broader conflict. In its statement, the company said it continues to closely monitor security and political developments in the Middle East and is working to provide alternatives for passengers affected by schedule changes.

The revised and reduced Middle East schedule is expected to remain in place through the summer travel season, until October 24, 2026, with the possibility of further adjustments after that date.