U.S. airlines return to Israel as foreign carriers rebuild flight capacity
Delta and United are resuming New York-area routes this week, while Wizz Air and Transavia are adding European flights ahead of the Tishrei holidays after months of disruption.
The Israeli aviation market entered another phase of recovery this week, with two major U.S. airlines returning to Ben Gurion Airport and European carriers expanding their operations. The moves are expected to add seats ahead of the Tishrei holiday period, after months in which international flight capacity from Israel remained constrained despite heavy congestion at Ben Gurion.
The gradual return of foreign airlines signals a recovery from the disruptions caused by security incidents and the prolonged suspension of flights to Israel, including during the fighting with Iran and the closure of Israeli airspace.
Delta Air Lines is returning on Sunday, September 6, with direct flights between New York and Ben Gurion Airport. The airline will operate one daily flight on the route. The first flight will depart New York today and arrive in Israel on September 7, with the return flight departing Ben Gurion the same day.
United Airlines is expected to follow on September 8, when it resumes its route between Newark and Ben Gurion Airport. According to the current plan, United will operate two daily flights, bringing significant competition back to routes between Israel and the New York area.
The return of Delta and United will restore competition on U.S. routes after months in which Israeli carriers El Al and Arkia were the main operators. Israir is expected to join the competition next month with the launch of its own New York route.
Additional capacity is also expected on European routes this week.
Low-cost carrier Wizz Air will expand its operations in Israel by resuming flights between Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and Ben Gurion Airport tomorrow, September 7, after a suspension of about six months. The route will operate twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays.
The resumption restores a previously active connection and adds further capacity from Israel ahead of the holiday period.
French low-cost carrier Transavia will also expand its Israeli operations on September 8, when it resumes direct flights to Marseille and Lyon. The airline had already resumed its Paris route at the end of August.
The gradual return of foreign carriers comes as passenger traffic through Ben Gurion Airport begins to recover. The Airports Authority expects about 2.5 million passengers to pass through the airport during September and the holiday period, following approximately 2.65 million passengers in August.
