Foreign Airlines Begin Returning to Ben Gurion as Summer Flights Reopen

Ben Gurion Airport is seeing a gradual recovery after a long period of cancellations, reduced service and uncertainty among foreign airlines. More international carriers are now announcing a return to Israeli routes, increasing the number of available flights, restoring key destinations and sharpening competition in the market.

The comeback is taking place amid a relative easing in the security situation and a fresh review by foreign airlines of operating conditions and risks. The airlines are resuming service step by step during the summer season, with the new schedules expected to roll out over the coming weeks.

The first planned returns begin on June 25, when Canut Shark will resume flights to Tashkent and Samarkand. Air Europa will restart its Tel Aviv-Madrid route on June 29. On July 1, Lufthansa will return to Frankfurt, with Munich expected to resume on August 1. That same day, ITA Airways will resume Rome flights and airBaltic will restart Tel Aviv-Riga service.

Further reactivations include One Click flights to Tbilisi and Batumi on July 2, Eurowings service to Hamburg on July 10 and to Düsseldorf on July 18, Fly One Romania's return to Bucharest on July 19, and SWISS flights to Zurich on August 1. Industry sources say the wave of returns is a positive sign for the market, as it should raise seat capacity and help restore price competition. If the security situation remains stable, the recovery is expected to continue in the coming months.