Air Canada Delays Return to Israel Until January 2027, Cancels Direct Flights

Air Canada has announced it will extend the cancellation of its flights to Israel until mid-January 2027, postponing its planned return to Ben Gurion Airport from October 24, 2026. This decision leaves Israel without a direct air link to Canada for the foreseeable future. A similar extension applies to Air Canada's Dubai-Canada route. This move follows a trend of foreign airlines prolonging suspensions of service to Israel despite improved security conditions.

American Airlines has also extended its suspension of flights between New York and Tel Aviv until at least March 2027. Iberia, which had planned to resume flights to Israel in August, has delayed its return until October 24, 2027. In contrast, some American carriers are preparing to resume operations: United Airlines confirmed its return to Israel on September 8, 2026, planning two daily flights from Ben Gurion using Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Delta Airlines is also expected to restart flights on the same date.

The return of United and Delta could shift the competitive landscape on routes to the U.S., increasing seat availability and potentially lowering ticket prices. During the extended absence of many foreign carriers, Israeli airlines El Al and Arkia gained a larger market share. The renewed presence of major U.S. airlines may intensify competition in the Israeli aviation market.