While some foreign airlines still haven’t resumed full service to Israel, three international carriers are actually expanding their operations at Ben Gurion Airport. The move is expected to add dozens of weekly flights, increase seat availability, and open up more connecting flight options for Israeli travelers around the world.
2+Leading the expansion are two UAE-based carriers—flydubai and Etihad Airways—alongside Ethiopian Airlines, which is also increasing flight frequency on the Israel-Ethiopia route. Flydubai will operate up to 10 daily flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai, totaling around 70 weekly flights—a significant volume on the route that gives Israeli passengers much greater flexibility in choosing flight times.
Etihad Airways is also expanding and will operate up to 6 daily flights between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi, totaling around 42 weekly flights. Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines will increase flights on the Tel Aviv-Addis Ababa route to 26 weekly flights. During August, the carrier is expected to operate between three and four flights daily.
2+In addition to increased frequency, Ethiopian will operate Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft on some flights, allowing for more available seats on the route. Starting August 3, Ethiopian will add another daily flight Sunday through Thursday: Flight ET449 from Tel Aviv to Addis Ababa will depart at 3:15 AM and land at 7:30 AM, while flight ET448 from Addis Ababa to Tel Aviv will depart at 9:50 PM and land in Israel at 2:00 AM the following day.
For Israeli travelers, the impact goes beyond just direct flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Addis Ababa. All three destinations serve as connecting hubs for onward flights, so the expanded service could make it easier to reach many destinations in Asia, the Far East, Africa, the United States, and other regions worldwide. Addis Ababa, for example, serves as a major aviation hub in Africa, from which Israeli passengers can continue to many destinations across the continent, as well as to Asia and other international destinations.
2+The increase in flights comes during the summer season, when demand for flights is particularly high, and at a time when some foreign airlines still haven’t returned to full operations in Israel. For consumers, this could mean more choices, greater seat availability, and increased competition for the Israeli traveler—especially on routes where options remain limited.