SKIES REOPEN: Foreign Airlines Return To Israel As Delta, United Prepare To Resume Flights

Foreign airlines have steadily returned to Israel after an extended period of significantly reduced service at Ben Gurion Airport, with dozens of carriers now operating and several major U.S. Airlines set to resume flights soon.

The gradual restoration began shortly after the start of Operation "Lion's Roar," With carriers returning throughout spring and summer. HiFly continued long-haul operations for Arkia during the earlier period, while Bulgarian carrier Electra Airways began operating Arkia flights in April. Romania's FlyLili later commenced Arkia service to Vienna.

Additional April returns included ALK Airlines operating Athens flights for Blue Bird, and Tus Airways resuming service to Larnaca and Rome before expanding to Paphos and Prague. Uzbekistan Airways, Etihad Airways and Ethiopian Airlines restored their Israel routes, and Red Wings restarted Moscow service.

Greek carriers followed gradually, with Sky Express returning in April and Aegean resuming Athens flights before restoring service to Rhodes, Larnaca and Heraklion. FlyOne, Belavia, Cyprus Airways, Azimuth and other carriers also resumed operations.

May brought further expansion, with Romania's TAROM, Azerbaijan Airlines, Centrum Air and Smartwings returning to Ben Gurion. Trade Air, Hello Jets and European Air Charter began operating flights for Israeli airlines. A major milestone came May 28 when Wizz Air resumed service, followed days later by LOT Polish Airlines, with Austrian Airlines and Bulgaria Air returning in early June.

Summer saw continued growth. Italian carrier Neos returned in June and later began operating Arkia's New York flights. Uzbekistan's Qanot Sharq resumed service, while Air Europa restarted flights in late June. July brought airBaltic, Lufthansa and ITA Airways on July 1, Air France on July 3, and Eurowings with Hamburg and Düsseldorf service. Swiss resumed August 1, followed by Condor on August 2, marking its first Israel service in decades. Brussels Airlines resumed August 5.

Looking ahead, Animawings is expected to resume Bucharest service with three weekly flights. Delta Air Lines is scheduled to resume its New York route September 6, while United Airlines is expected to return September 8 with Newark service.