The resumption of international flights to Israel is gaining momentum, with the Lufthansa Group preparing to restore service through six of its carriers within two weeks, while major US airlines remain notably absent from Israeli skies.
Senator Ted Cruz told The Free Press on Tuesday that he expects American carriers to reinstate their Israel routes within 30 days, suggesting that current suspensions stem from political considerations rather than operational concerns.
"I think US airlines need to resume flights to Israel, said Cruz, who is set to chair the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees aviation matters. "We have El Al that has flights. We have regional airlines in the Middle East and in Europe that are having flights go in and out. I think it is politics that is driving that decision rather than their stated concerns.
"In particular, you look at the flight attendants union that has been very vocally anti-Israel and in fact has supported the antisemitic protests on college campuses."
The Texas senator specifically pointed to the Flight Attendants Union's stance, noting its opposition to Israel and support for campus demonstrations that he characterized as antisemitic. Cruz emphasized his committee's broad oversight of the American economy, including the aviation sector.
Currently, El Al operates as the sole carrier providing direct US-Israel flights, with Israeli airline Arkia scheduled to join the route on Feb. 8. The continued absence of United, Delta, and American Airlines has significantly restricted travel options between the two countries.
Meanwhile, European aviation's return to Israel continues to expand. The Lufthansa Group – which includes Lufthansa, SWISS, ITA, Austrian, Brussels, and Eurowings – will resume operations within two weeks. Budget carriers are also planning their return, with both easyJet and Ryanair announcing intentions to restore service by summer, while Wizz Air has already reestablished multiple routes.
These developments align with recent optimistic assessments from Israel Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Shmuel Zakai, who returned from meetings with American airline representatives last month indicating that some US carriers might resume service in the near term.
