Delta Air Lines has resumed nonstop service between New York and Tel Aviv after a more than six-month suspension, marking a major step toward the restoration of regular U.S.-Israel air travel.

Delta flight DL234 arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport Monday morning at 8:43 a.m., more than 40 minutes ahead of schedule. The Airbus A330-900neo departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday, marking Delta’s first direct flight to Israel since the airline suspended the route in March amid the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Ben-Gurion Airport shared footage of the aircraft arriving at the terminal before later departing for New York as flight DL235.

United Airlines is expected to follow shortly, with two flights from Newark Liberty International Airport scheduled to depart Tuesday and arrive in Tel Aviv Wednesday. United is also returning after suspending its Israel service during Operation Roaring Lion.

The return of both Delta and United creates direct competition for El Al on the New York–Tel Aviv route for the first time in more than six months. United’s flights will be operated with Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners.

While Delta was absent from the route, it maintained some connectivity to Israel through its partnership with El Al. United, which does not have a codeshare arrangement with an Israeli carrier, relied on European Star Alliance partners such as Lufthansa to connect passengers to Ben-Gurion.

Additional international carriers are also preparing to restore or expand service. Scandinavian Airlines plans to resume its Copenhagen–Tel Aviv route on October 26, operating four weekly round trips with Airbus A320neo aircraft.

Meanwhile, low-cost carrier Wizz Air announced an expansion of its Israeli network, including the return of routes to Catania, London Gatwick, Venice, Cluj and Iasi, along with increased frequencies on several existing routes.

The wave of airline returns comes as international aviation links to Israel gradually recover following months of disruptions, cancellations and security-related suspensions.