Three Major European Airlines Return to Israel After Long Hiatus

Today marks a milestone for Israel’s aviation sector as three major European carriers, British Airways, Iberia Express and SAS, resume operations after an extended suspension due to security concerns.

British Airways returns with a daily service on the Tel Aviv–London route. Flights from Israel depart in the morning, with return flights to London in the evening, maximizing travelers’ time in the city.

Iberia Express, the Spanish subsidiary of Iberia, resumes flights from Madrid to Israel with a technical stop in Athens. The return flight from Tel Aviv to Madrid will operate nonstop.

SAS, the Scandinavian airline, is returning to Israel after nearly a decade. It will operate three weekly flights to Copenhagen, initially launching two weekly direct flights. During the next summer season, SAS plans to expand frequency to four weekly flights.

The return of these airlines comes as Israel’s aviation sector continues to rebound. By the end of October, Ben Gurion Airport is expected to host approximately 57 airlines, the highest number since the outbreak of the war, though still below pre-conflict levels of over 100 carriers.

The resumption of these key European routes reflects renewed confidence in the security and stability of air travel to Israel, providing travelers with broader connectivity and signaling an important step in the country’s post-conflict recovery.