Major US Airlines Return to Israel, Boosting Competition

The Israeli aviation market is seeing a significant recovery phase this week with the return of two major American carriers, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). This expansion, alongside increased activity from European airlines, is expected to add considerable seat capacity ahead of the High Holidays, following months of reduced international flight options from Israel. The gradual resumption of foreign airline services reflects the market's rebound from security-related disruptions and prolonged flight suspensions, partly due to regional tensions and airspace closures.

Delta Air Lines resumed its direct New York-TLV route on September 6th with one daily flight. United Airlines is set to follow on September 8th, relaunching its Newark-TLV service with two daily flights, thereby reintroducing substantial competition on routes to the New York area. These returns mark a significant shift after months where Israeli carriers El Al and Arkia dominated the US routes. Israir is also slated to join the competition on the New York route next month.

European low-cost carriers are also expanding their presence. Wizz Air will restart its Cluj-Napoca, Romania to TLV route on September 7th, operating twice weekly after a six-month hiatus. This adds to the growing flight options for the upcoming holiday season. Additionally, French low-cost carrier Transavia will broaden its operations from Israel on September 8th, resuming direct flights to Marseille and Lyon, following its earlier relaunch of the Tel Aviv-Paris route in late August.

These airline resumptions coincide with a recovery in passenger traffic. The Israel Airports Authority anticipates approximately 2.5 million passengers at Ben Gurion Airport in September, including the holiday period, following a total of about 2.65 million passengers in August.