The threat to cancel some 100,000 flight tickets has been lifted, the security situation has calmed, and Terminal 1 is set to reopen as early as Wednesday. These three developments mark the continued recovery of Israel’s aviation sector—and appear to be strengthening foreign carriers’ willingness to expand operations in the country.
2+As we first reported about a month ago, low-cost carrier Wizz Air hasn’t abandoned its plan to establish an operational base in Israel, despite months of uncertainty. Now, following recent developments, talks between the sides are continuing, and the company is still evaluating the move.
Meanwhile, flydubai is also advancing contacts with Israel. The carrier recently increased its operations to 10 weekly flights to Israel and is now in advanced negotiations to establish its first operational base in the country.
2+Among the issues being examined as part of the talks is the possibility of operating direct flights to Europe from Ramon Airport in Eilat—a move that could expand flight options from southern Israel and turn Ramon into an additional gateway for Israelis.
As Transportation Minister Miri Regev said, no single company has a “reserved spot” to be the first to establish an operational base in Israel. According to her, any airline that seeks to do so will be evaluated based on professional considerations.
At the same time, Etihad Airways is also conducting talks with Israeli authorities, including around the possibility of operating a direct route between Tel Aviv and New York, without a stopover in the United Arab Emirates—a move that could be a significant development for passengers.
2+Overall, Ben Gurion Airport appears to be gradually recovering and returning to the activity patterns that characterized it before the war. The increase in flights and passengers, the return of foreign airlines, the reopening of Terminal 1, and the advanced negotiations with international carriers on establishing operational bases in Israel all point to a recovery trend in the sector and an attempt to restore Israel to the international aviation map.