January 24, 2025 | Flash Brief
‘2,000 Weekly Seats’: Delta and Several International Airlines to Resume Flights to Israel
January 24, 2025 | Flash Brief
‘2,000 Weekly Seats’: Delta and Several International Airlines to Resume Flights to Israel
Latest Developments
- Delta Reopens Israel Flight Route, United Set to Follow: Delta Airlines announced that it will resume its New York-Tel Aviv service on April 1, making it the first U.S. carrier to do so after the widespread suspensions of flights to and from Israel following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks. The route will offer “2,000 weekly seats” utilizing its Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. United Airlines is also expected to resume its flights to Israel as soon as February 22, according to a report by Israel-based business outlet Globes, though there has yet to be an official announcement from the airline.
- Resumption Follows Security Review: Delta said that its decision to resume flights to Israel came after “a comprehensive security review, conducted in close coordination with government and private-sector partners.” The airline added that they will continue “to prioritize the safety of its customers and crews,” and have “implemented additional precautions for operations to and from Tel Aviv.”
- Additional Airlines Resuming Flights to Israel, American Remains Suspended: Several carriers not based in the United States also announced resumptions of service, including Air France, EasyJet, and some airlines owned by the German carrier Lufthansa. Inversely, U.S.-based carrier American Airlines has extended the end date of its suspension of flights to Israel by one month to April 29, previously March 29.
FDD Expert Response
“It’s no surprise that U.S. carriers are suddenly ending their boycotts of Israel with the new chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee pledging to investigate and the potential for a new Secretary of Transportation to start asking questions as well. We could have seen an announcement like this months ago, at the very least right after the Lebanon ceasefire started, but we didn’t, which raises questions about what has been driving these boycotts behind the scenes.” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor
“The announcements by Delta and several international airlines are welcome, and a positive development. With the missile threat to Israel reduced dramatically and tense ceasefires in place on both the northern and southern fronts, airlines deem it safe to return. However, it is important that they do not cancel flights again if the Gaza ceasefire ends. Hamas should not be able to close off Israel’s skies to commercial flights simply by sabotaging the ceasefire. Airlines shouldn’t reward a terrorist group by cutting off flights to a democratic country.” — Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow
FDD Background and Analysis
“Israel Attempts to Lure Back International Airlines as Long-Term Flight Cancellations Continue,” FDD Flash Brief
“Airline flight cancellation chaos to Israel is unsustainable,” by Seth J. Frantzman
“State Laws on Israel Boycotts Hold Up in Court,” by Richard Goldberg