Foreign airlines are steadily returning to Israel after months of sharply reduced service at Ben Gurion Airport, with dozens of carriers already back in operation and several major airlines — including Delta and United — preparing to resume flights in the coming weeks.

The gradual return marks a significant expansion in flight options for Israelis following an extended period in which foreign carriers dramatically reduced or suspended service to the country.

Some airlines resumed operations shortly after the start of Operation “Lion’s Roar,” while others returned throughout the spring and summer.

HiFly was among the carriers operating during the earlier period, continuing to provide long-haul flights for Arkia. Bulgarian carrier Electra Airways began operating flights for Arkia in April, while Romania’s FlyLili later began operating Arkia flights to Vienna.

Additional carriers returned during April. ALK Airlines began operating Athens flights for Blue Bird, while Tus Airways resumed service to Larnaca and Rome before adding Paphos and Prague.

Uzbekistan Airways also returned, while Etihad Airways and Ethiopian Airlines resumed their Israel routes. Red Wings restarted service to Moscow.

Greek airlines gradually followed. Sky Express returned in April, while Aegean resumed flights to Athens and subsequently restored service to Rhodes, Larnaca and Heraklion.

FlyOne, Belavia, Cyprus Airways, Azimuth and other carriers also resumed operations.

The trend continued in May, with Romania’s TAROM, Azerbaijan Airlines, Centrum Air and Smartwings returning to Ben Gurion Airport. Trade Air, Hello Jets and European Air Charter also began operating flights on behalf of Israeli airlines.

One of the most significant returns came on May 28, when Wizz Air resumed service to Israel. LOT Polish Airlines followed several days later, while Austrian Airlines and Bulgaria Air returned in early June.

The list continued to grow over the summer. Italian carrier Neos returned in June and later began operating Arkia’s New York flights. Uzbekistan’s Qanot Sharq also resumed service, while Air Europa restarted flights in late June.

July brought another major wave of returning airlines, with airBaltic, Lufthansa and ITA Airways resuming flights on July 1. Air France followed on July 3, while Eurowings later returned with service to Hamburg and Düsseldorf.

Swiss resumed flights on August 1, followed by Condor on August 2. Condor’s return marked its first service to Israel in decades. Brussels Airlines resumed operations on August 5.

More airlines are now preparing to return.

Animawings is expected to resume service to Bucharest with three weekly flights, while two major U.S. airlines are scheduled to restore service in September.

Delta Air Lines is expected to resume its New York route on September 6, while United Airlines is scheduled to return to Ben Gurion Airport on September 8 with service to Newark.

The return of the American carriers is expected to significantly increase options for travelers between Israel and the United States, particularly following months of limited nonstop service between Israel and the New York area.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)