After 15 months of conflict, the war between Israel and Hamas has ended, and major international airlines are preparing to resume flights to Tel Aviv (TLV) in early 2025. Airlines such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Air India have announced their plans to restore operations, joining other carriers like Lufthansa, British Airways, and Air France, which have already resumed service.
The resumption of flights comes as regional tensions ease, though security concerns remain high. Airlines have conducted comprehensive safety reviews before committing to flight restarts.
Airlines Resuming Flights to Tel Aviv in 2025
1. United Airlines (UA) – Flights Resume in February 2025
📅 Expected Start Date: February 22, 2025 (pending confirmation)
🛫 Routes:
- New York (JFK) – Tel Aviv (TLV)
- Chicago (ORD) – Tel Aviv (TLV)
- Washington D.C. (IAD) – Tel Aviv (TLV)
- San Francisco (SFO) – Tel Aviv (TLV)
United Airlines suspended operations in October 2023 but briefly resumed New York-Tel Aviv flights in March 2024 before suspending them again due to regional conflicts. The airline previously operated 28 weekly flights to Israel.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has suggested that United’s delays in resuming flights were influenced by employee union pressure, but the airline maintains that its decisions are based on safety and operational concerns.
2. Air India (AI) – Flights Resume on March 2, 2025
📅 Expected Start Date: March 2, 2025
🛫 Route: Delhi (DEL) – Tel Aviv (TLV) – Five weekly flights
Air India will be the only airline offering direct flights between Israel and India, with Delhi serving as a key hub for connecting flights to East Asia.
The Indian carrier had previously suspended flights following the October 7, 2023, conflict but was one of the first international airlines to confirm its return to Tel Aviv.
3. Delta Air Lines (DL) – Flights Resume on April 1, 2025
📅 Expected Start Date: April 1, 2025
🛫 Route: New York (JFK) – Tel Aviv (TLV) – Daily flights
✈️ Aircraft: Airbus A330-900neo
Delta will be the first U.S. airline to officially restore service to Israel, reintroducing nearly 2,000 weekly seats on the New York-Tel Aviv route.
Delta has partnered with security agencies to implement additional safety measures, ensuring passenger and crew security. The airline’s relaunch coincides with Passover (April 12–20, 2025), a peak travel period for flights to Israel.
Other Airlines Resuming Flights
- Lufthansa Group (LH)
- British Airways (BA)
- Air France (AF)
- easyJet (U2)
- Ryanair (FR)
Additionally, Israeli budget carrier Arkia is planning to launch thrice-weekly flights to New York in 2025, increasing competition in the market.
Why Did Airlines Suspend Flights to Israel?
The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 Israelis and abducting 250 people. In response, Israel conducted an extensive military operation in Gaza, resulting in over 47,000 Palestinian casualties and the displacement of 90% of Gaza’s population, according to local health officials.
During the war, airlines suspended operations due to security risks, including:
- Missile threats near Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)
- Unstable airspace conditions
- Increased military activity in the region
Now that a ceasefire is in place, airlines are resuming flights, though future conflicts remain a concern.
American Airlines’ Position on Tel Aviv Flights
Unlike United and Delta, American Airlines (AA) has not announced any plans to resume flights to Tel Aviv. The airline completely withdrew from Israeli routes in 2023 and has remained inactive in the region since.
Cautious but Optimistic Return to Israel
With the end of the Israel-Hamas war, international airlines are gradually restoring flights to Tel Aviv, marking a significant step toward normalization.
While security concerns remain, airlines like United, Delta, and Air India are confident that enhanced safety measures will allow for safe and reliable operations. The coming months will reveal whether Israel’s aviation market can fully recover or if geopolitical tensions will lead to further disruptions.
