Deutsche Lufthansa AG is set to resume flights to Tel Aviv early next month, becoming one of the first major airlines to return to the country following the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The German carrier announced that it will start flying to Tel Aviv from January 8th, with four weekly trips from Frankfurt and three from Munich.
Austrian Airlines, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, is also planning to offer eight weekly connections, while the Swiss airline unit will provide five flights to Tel Aviv. This is a significant development, as most international airlines suspended their services shortly after the attacks by Hamas on Israel in early October and the subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza by Israeli troops.
The conflict not only led to the suspension of flights but also forced many airlines to take wider detours to avoid potential danger zones. This, in turn, has resulted in extended flight times. Lufthansa had announced the suspension of flights to Israel on October 9th and conducted evacuation services for its citizens in the following days. The decision prompted other major carriers, including Turkish Airlines and American Airlines Group Inc, to follow suit. As a consequence, El Al Israel Airlines remained the only major air link to the country during this period.
Lufthansa, in its statement, mentioned that it continues to closely monitor the security situation in Israel and maintains close contact with local and international authorities. As a result, it acknowledges that flight schedule adjustments may still be necessary due to changing conditions on the ground.
In total, the Lufthansa Group plans to provide 20 weekly connections to and from Tel Aviv, which represents approximately 30% of the regular schedule. The airline will deploy Airbus A320 models on this route. Additionally, Lufthansa has also resumed previously suspended flights to Beirut on December 15th.
With Lufthansa leading the way in resuming flights to Tel Aviv, it is hoped that other international carriers will soon follow suit. This development not only offers a glimmer of hope for the aviation industry but also signifies a step towards a return to normalcy in the region. It remains to be seen how the situation evolves, and whether other airlines will reinstate their services to Tel Aviv in the near future.