Two years after halting flights to Israel following the outbreak of the "Swords of Iron" War, Turkish Airlines is reportedly considering a return to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). The potential resumption of flights, which would mark a significant shift in the strained bilateral relationship, comes directly at the request of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The move is seen by analysts as directly linked to President Erdogan's recent engagement in mediation efforts to end the current conflict.
Erdogan Intervenes After Receiving Trump Compliments
Since the October 7, 2023, attack and the subsequent war, Turkey has been one of Israel's most vocally critical nations, causing relations across all sectors, particularly tourism and aviation, to become nearly non-existent.
However, the Turkish President, despite his past inflammatory rhetoric toward Israel, has personally asked the airline's management to examine the feasibility of resuming service.
This development follows compliments received by President Erdogan from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Turkish leader's recent diplomatic moves. The internal review at Turkish Airlines suggests a political calculation being made by Ankara to potentially normalize air travel as part of a broader diplomatic pivot.
