Following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Tuesday morning ceasefire declaration after rounds of military exchanges between Israel and Iran, Israeli airlines are mobilizing to expand flight operations as airspace gradually reopens to commercial traffic.
Israeli carriers are positioning themselves to increase flight capacity while awaiting updated directives from authorities. While Home Front Command guidelines remain unchanged for now, aviation officials indicate that maintaining the ceasefire will trigger rapid expansion of flight operations in the coming days.
Ben Gurion International Airport officials are preparing to resume full operational capacity today, with 20 evacuation flights scheduled from Larnaca to Israel on Tuesday.
Airlines from the Emirates will lead the return
Nir Mazor, deputy CEO of aviation relations, explained, "Several foreign airlines have already signaled their intention to resume immediate operations, including Romanian carriers such as Flyyo, along with Greek and Cypriot companies, enabling swift capacity increases. Given that we're entering peak tourism season, other carriers' return will likely be phased. Airlines from the Emirates will probably be the first to resume operations, with European and American carriers following.
"Considering the timing – just before July begins – we anticipate vacation schedules will shift toward September and holiday periods, particularly for travelers who missed recent vacation opportunities. Limited regular service to long-haul destinations may intensify demand for closer destinations within three hours' flight time from Israel, with Greece and Mediterranean islands expected to benefit most."
Monday saw dozens of Israelis finally returning home after 11 days of anxious waiting, uncertainty, and poor accommodations, boarding an evacuation flight from Budapest. Some had been on recreational trips that became complicated, others on vacations that transformed into ordeals, but all shared profound relief at touching Israeli ground again.
