From January 8, 2024, Lufthansa Group airlines are to resume flights to Tel Aviv.
For around a dozen international carriers, flights have continued to operate to Israel despite the ongoing conflict.
But many European and US carriers axed services in October 2023 when fighting broke out.
Now, Lufthansa Group airlines is to offer a total of 20 weekly connections to and from Tel Aviv. This corresponds to around 30% of the regular flight schedule.
The suspensions were implemented as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and crew amidst heightened tensions.
Airlines have been closely monitoring the situation and have adjusted their flight schedules accordingly, aiming to resume operations when conditions permit.
Others, including flag carrier El Al, have continued to operate.
Nadav Hanin, the vice president for marketing and digital at El Al, told FINN: “Following the outbreak of the war, many foreign carriers automatically cancelled their flights.
“Around ten airlines operate in Israel, including three Israeli ones. El Al is the major of those currently operating.
“During this challenging period, El Al has also transported over 13,000 tons of cargo, showcasing our dedication to keeping essential goods flowing.
“We serve as a strategic asset for Israel. For El Al, the safety and security of passengers and crew remain paramount, reflecting our enduring commitment to these values, particularly in these trying times.”
El Al, Israel’s national airline, holds immense significance as a symbol of the country’s sovereignty and independence in the aviation industry.
It plays a crucial role in connecting Israel to the rest of the world, facilitating tourism, business, and diplomatic relations.
Additionally, El Al has historically served as a lifeline during times of crisis, evacuating citizens and providing essential services to ensure the country’s connectivity in challenging circumstances.
Lufthansa’s decision to resume flights to Israel signifies a positive step in reinstating international connectivity for the region.
The resumption reflects improved confidence in security conditions and signals a renewed commitment to facilitating travel and trade between Israel and various global destinations.
Lufthansa Group Airlines suspended its scheduled flights to and from Tel Aviv on October 9, 2023, and the family of carriers are the first European airlines to resume flights to the country.
Lufthansa Airlines will initially offer four weekly flights from Frankfurt and three weekly flights from Munich. In addition, Austrian Airlines is planning eight weekly connections and Swiss five weekly flights. Aircraft from the Airbus A320 family will be used.
The company said this flight schedule offers good transfer connections from Israel to North America and back via the hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna and Zurich.
A statement read: “Safety is always a top priority for the airlines in the Lufthansa Group. The Lufthansa Group continues to monitor the security situation in Israel closely and is in close contact with the local and international authorities. Possible flight schedule adjustments must be expected due to changing conditions.”
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