Lufthansa group and Wizz Air to resume Tel Aviv flights after three-month war hiatus

Wizz Air will restart flights to Ben Gurion Airport on May 28; Lufthansa group plans a phased return with Austrian Airlines on June 1, followed by Lufthansa, Swiss and ITA on July 1

Germany’s Lufthansa group of carriers and Hungarian low-cost giant Wizz Air on Wednesday announced a resumption of flight operations to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport after the European safety agency softened its advisory against operating in Israel’s airspace following the war with Iran.

Wizz Air said the carrier will resume all flight operations to and from Ben Gurion Airport starting May 28. Meanwhile, the German airline group — which includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings — said it is planning to restart flight services to and from Israel in a phased manner from June.

Initially, just Austrian Airlines will restart flights to and from Tel Aviv on June 1. Other airlines in the group — SWISS, ITA Airways and Lufthansa — are currently planning to resume flights as early as July 1, with Eurowings expected to return to Tel Aviv by mid-July. Flight operations to Tel Aviv by Brussels Airlines will remain suspended through October 24.

“As Europe’s reliable airline and Israel’s number one low-cost airline, we are thrilled to confirm our return to Tel Aviv,” stated Wizz Air Chief Commercial Officer Ian Malin. “The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our top priority, and we have taken a cautious and measured approach to this decision.”

Wizz Air and the Lufthansa group’s decision come after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Tuesday softened its recommendation against operating in Israeli airspace, instead cautioning airlines to have strict risk monitoring procedures for flights over the country.

Since the full reopening of the country’s airspace in early April following a temporary ceasefire agreement that halted the joint US-Israel military campaign against Iran, travelers have been mostly reliant on Israeli airlines as the majority of foreign carriers have not rushed to resume flight operations.

Despite the ceasefire, major European airlines, including Air France and British Airways, have kept suspending flights to and from Israel through May and June, while US carriers, including Delta, have pushed back their return to as far as September. Wizz Air rival British low-cost carrier easyJet has decided to stay away from Ben-Gurion Airport until at least the winter.

Wizz Air said it “will continue to monitor developments closely and remains in regular contact with aviation safety agencies, security authorities, and governmental bodies.”

The outbreak of war with Iran on February 28 set back plans by the popular budget carrier to establish an operational aviation hub in Israel as early as April, which was hoped to boost competition and bring down sky-high fares for travelers.