Full Breakdown
Resumption of Flights to Tel Aviv Amid Ongoing Caution
4/10/2026, 10:50:05 PM
Gradual Return of Airlines to Tel Aviv
Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air, Greek carrier Bluebird Airways, and Czech airline Smartwings have announced plans to gradually resume operations to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport this month. Bluebird Airways will initiate a limited flight schedule on the Tel Aviv-Athens route starting April 12, becoming the first European carrier to restart services following the recent reopening of Israel's airspace. Wizz Air plans to reopen ticket sales for flights beginning April 25, initially offering routes to Budapest, with additional destinations to be added as conditions permit. Smartwings will restart regular flights to Tel Aviv from April 15, operating seven flights per week while monitoring the security situation.
Context of Flight Suspensions
The resumption of these flights comes after a ceasefire agreement halted the joint US-Israel military campaign against Iran, which had led to the suspension of most commercial traffic in and out of Israel since the war began on February 28. Despite the reopening of Ben Gurion Airport, major European and US carriers remain hesitant to resume operations. British Airways has extended its suspension of flights to Israel through June 30, 2026, while the Lufthansa group has paused services until May 31. US carriers United Airlines and Delta have also canceled flights to Tel Aviv through early September.
Official Statements & Responses
Wizz Air stated, “The company continues to closely monitor developments,” indicating a cautious approach to resuming flights. Similarly, Etihad Airways announced it would restart its Abu Dhabi-Tel Aviv route with two daily flights starting April 15, reflecting a gradual return to normalcy in air travel to Israel.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the positive announcements from certain airlines, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has extended an advisory cautioning airlines to avoid most Middle East and Gulf airspace, including Israel, through April 24. This advisory highlights ongoing concerns regarding regional hostilities and risks to civil aviation, which may contribute to the reluctance of major carriers to resume flights.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While some airlines are moving forward with plans to resume flights, others have extended their suspensions significantly. The disparity in responses among airlines raises questions about the overall safety and stability of air travel in the region. The varying timelines for resumption, with some airlines pushing back their return to as far as September, indicate a cautious approach amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
What's Next
As airlines like Wizz Air and Bluebird Airways begin to resume flights, the situation will continue to evolve based on the security landscape in Israel and the broader Middle East. The effectiveness of the ceasefire and the response from major carriers will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
