British Airways to Resume Flights to Israel in October

British Airways has announced it will resume flights to Israel on October 25, operating a daily service between Tel Aviv and London Heathrow Airport. This marks a significant development for Israeli travelers and signals a broader return of foreign airlines to the country, according to the tourism industry.

The airline had previously postponed the resumption of services multiple times. British Airways had not operated flights to Israel since Operation "Northern Shield" (Shag'at Ha'arev), despite an earlier plan announced in April to restart the route. The initial plan was for one daily flight, a reduction from the two flights previously operated.

The return of direct flights to London is also expected to benefit Israelis whose final destination is not the UK, as Heathrow serves as a major transit hub for onward travel. Tamar Gerzon, CEO of Gulliver Tourism Company, stated that British Airways' return is a "significant boon far beyond resuming the London route," enhancing Israel's air connectivity. She added that it provides Israeli passengers with more options, greater flexibility in planning itineraries, and an expanded range of flights and destinations.

Furthermore, the return of international carriers is anticipated to increase competition within the aviation sector. Industry professionals hope this will lead to more competitive pricing for consumers. Gerzon noted that as more foreign airlines return and expand their routes, the market becomes more competitive, benefiting Israeli consumers with more choices and potentially lower fares. She also views the return of international airlines as a positive indicator of the Israeli tourism sector's recovery and strengthening global air links.