A Wizz Air plane. Photo: depositphotos.
As the security situation in northern Israel stabilises, international airlines are gradually resuming flights to the country. According to the Time Ukraine Israel portal, citing Israelinfo, Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air announced the return of flights from Tel Aviv on 20 December.
First flights from Wizz Air and new routes
In the first phase, Wizz Air is introducing four flights a week from Tel Aviv to Larnaca, a popular holiday destination in Cyprus. This will send a signal to other carriers that are closely monitoring the stability of the region.
The next day, 21 December, Polish airline LOT will resume flights to Tel Aviv. This is actually its low-cost subsidiary Hello Jets, which will provide the opportunity to travel via Warsaw to North America and other destinations. In December, LOT plans to operate one flight a day, and in January it will double its number.
Other returns
On 26 December, Bulgaria Air will re-enter the Israeli market. The Greek airline Aegean, which already operates flights from Athens and Larnaca to Tel Aviv, continues to strengthen its presence in the region.
Major airlines are still cautious
However, leading European and US airlines such as Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Ryanair and EasyJet are refraining from resuming flights for now. For example, EasyJet, Iberia and most US carriers will return no earlier than March 2025.
Also, no flights are planned by Latvian Baltic Air until the end of January, and Italian ITA Airways is postponing flights until 1 February.
The gradual resumption of flights to Israel signals an improvement in the security situation in the region. While low-cost carriers are adapting quickly to the changes, the major airlines remain cautious, waiting for stability.