More airlines set to resume Israel flights despite high airfares

Air France became the first international airline to resume flights to Israel, with services between Tel Aviv and Paris restarting on January 25.

Other major carriers, including United Airlines, Delta, British Airways, Lufthansa, and ITA, have also set dates for their return, while Turkish Airlines has indicated plans to resume flights to Ben Gurion Airport.

The resumption of international airline services to Israel remains contingent on the stability of the ceasefire with Hamas. While some airlines have already resumed operations, others are monitoring the security situation before finalizing their return.

In addition to foreign carriers reintroducing routes, Israel's aviation sector may soon welcome a new domestic airline.

Kavei Hufsha, one of Israel’s largest tourism companies, has announced plans to establish a new Israeli airline focused on short-haul flights. The company, which already owns Greek airline Blue Bird and Cypriot airline TUS, aims to operate routes within a four-to-five-hour radius of Israel.

The new airline is still in its early stages, with regulatory approval from Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) expected to take at least six months. The full launch is projected to take around 18 months.

Airfares Expected to Fluctuate but Remain High for Now

As more international airlines resume direct flights to Israel, air travel prices are expected to gradually decrease. However, fares remain high for the moment, with no significant impact on El Al's pricing.

A substantial drop in ticket prices will require a significant increase in incoming tourism as foreign carriers resume operations and competition intensifies. 

While minor price fluctuations are anticipated, the returning airlines have announced fares similar to those of El Al, suggesting that major reductions in airfare may take time to materialize.