Airlines cautiously return to Middle East

Global airlines have started lifting suspensions on flights to and from Middle East after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into force in January.

Below are some carriers that have already begun resuming or have announced a resumption of flights, and those whose services remain suspended:

Resumption announced:

Air France

Air France began gradually resuming flights between Paris and Tel Aviv from Jan. 25. It said on Jan. 21 it expected to also resume services between Paris and Beirut in the coming weeks.

Transavia France, a low cost unit of Air France-KLM, resumed flights between Paris and Tel Aviv on Jan. 28 and plans to restart those between Paris and Beirut “as soon as possible”, Air France said.

Delta Airlines

The US carrier said on Jan. 23 it would restart its daily nonstop service from New York to Tel Aviv on April 1. The suspension was announced on Sept. 19.

EasyJet

The UK budget airline plans to resume flights to and from Tel Aviv from June 1.

Emirates

UAE’s state-owned airline resumed flights to Beirut and Baghdad on Feb. 1, with a second daily flight to Beirut set to debut from April 1. The suspension started in late September.

ITA Airways

The Italian carrier resumed flights between Rome and Tel Aviv on Feb. 1, initially with one daily flight. It plans an additional nighttime flight from Feb. 16. The suspension had been in place since Sept. 30.

Lufthansa Group

The German airline group resumed flights to and from Tel Aviv from Feb. 1. Flights to Tehran are cancelled until Feb. 14 and to Beirut until Feb. 28.

Ryan Air

Europe’s biggest budget airline plans to operate a full schedule of flights from Tel Aviv this summer, senior executive Eddie Wilson said on Jan. 9.

United Airlines

The Chicago-based airline will restart its service from New York to Tel Aviv on March 15. United will also add a second daily flight on the route, planned to start from March 29.

Wizz Air

The Hungary-based airline has resumed flights to Tel Aviv and Amman as of Jan. 16.

Flights suspended:

Aegean Airlines

The Greek airline in August 2024 cancelled flights to and from Beirut until March 29.

Air Algerie

The Algerian airline has suspended flights to and from Lebanon until further notice, it said on Aug. 1.

AirBaltic

Latvia’s airBaltic has cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until Feb. 28. It announced the suspension in late September.

Air India

The Indian flag carrier has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice, it said on Aug. 12.

KLM

KLM has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until end-March 2025.

Low-cost unit Transavia Netherlands has said it will not fly to Lebanon and Jordan until at least the end of March, while Tel Aviv flights have been removed from schedule until further notice.

Cathay Pacific

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until Oct. 25, 2025. It suspended its flights to Israel in August.

IAG

IAG-owned British Airways has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until the end of March 2025.

IAG’s low-cost airline, Iberia Express, has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv until March 29 while Vueling will keep operations to and from Tel Aviv suspended throughout the first quarter of 2025.

Iran Air

The Iranian airline has cancelled Beirut flights until further notice. The suspension was announced in late September.

LOT

The Polish carrier plans its first scheduled flight to Beirut for April 1. It had suspended its flights to Lebanon in August.

Sund Air

The German airline has cancelled flights between Beirut and Bremen until March 26. The suspension started on Sept. 23.

SunExpress

SunExpress, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, has suspended flights to Beirut until March 31.

Virgin Atlantic

The UK carrier has suspended Tel Aviv flights until the end of March. The suspension has been in place since September.