In a move that defies the current trend, Ethiopian Airlines has announced the resumption of its flights to Israel, standing out among nearly 20 carriers that recently suspended their services. This development comes as Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport reports a 20% decrease in passenger traffic, with approximately 55,000 travelers expected to pass through its terminals today.
The past weekend saw a cascade of flight cancellations to Israel, triggered by heightened security concerns following recent events in Lebanon and Iran. The exodus began Wednesday night when US giants Delta and United Airlines temporarily suspended their Israel-bound flights. Other major carriers, including Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, and ITA Airways, quickly followed suit.
Bucking this trend, Ethiopian Airlines has become the first to reinstate its Israel route after a brief two-day pause. The carrier will resume its direct flights from Addis Ababa to Ben-Gurion Airport this evening, with the return leg scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Ethiopian Airlines' decision carries particular weight, as it's currently the only airline maintaining a direct link between Israel and Africa.
The Israel Airports Authority released figures this morning showing that approximately 55,000 passengers are expected to pass through Ben-Gurion Airport today. This marks a 20% drop from recent typical numbers, despite the continued operations of numerous foreign airlines in Israel, including Flydubai, Etihad Airways, Bluebird Airways, and Israeli carriers such as EL AL.
