Two major budget airlines to resume UK flights to Israel

The resumption of flights, along with Ryanair’s plan to return by summer, is expected to enhance travel options and potentially lower ticket prices.

Nonetheless, travel between the UK and Israel remained strong in 2024, despite the disruption. Over 79,000 UK tourists visited Israel last year, representing 42 per cent of pre-crisis numbers.

Notably, December 2024 saw 6,500 UK visitors, a 63 per cent increase compared to December 2023.

Michael Ben-Baruch, Director of Israeli Tourism in the UK, welcomed the return of flights, stating, “Israel is a country that thrives on its interaction with the outside world and the wider Jewish community. Hearing non-Hebrew language on our streets throughout the past year brought a huge sense of support and comfort to a struggling nation.

“The time is now to press reset on your Israel travel plans. We are ready to welcome you back, when you are ready to return. I want to thank those who made that extra effort to visit Israel since 7 October 2023.”

Ryanair, which suspended flights in August, is preparing to operate a full schedule by the summer launching routes to Paphos, Athens, Rome, Budapest, Vienna, Malta and more.

However, concerns remain about the status of Ben-Gurion Airport’s Terminal 1, which is undergoing renovations. Ryanair’s Chief Executive, Eddie Wilson, said, “We rely on European aviation safety regulations, but our view is that we will be back.”

While Ryanair’s comeback could intensify competition in Israel’s aviation market, it is unlikely to operate before the planned reopening of Terminal 1 on April 1.

The Lufthansa Group, which operates Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, and Eurowings, will resume flights to Israel next month.

This decision comes as more European carriers, including British Airways and Air France, are expected restart services to Ben-Gurion International Airport as regional tensions begin to ease.

In contrast to the European carriers, major US airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, and United, have not yet resumed flights to Israel.

As a result, El Al remains the sole airline providing direct flights between Israel and the United States.