Air France Resumes Tel Aviv Flights Amid Industry Pullback
Air France will officially resume nonstop service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) on May 27, 2025, reinstating a key international route at a time when many other carriers have suspended operations to Israel. The airline’s decision comes after a four-week suspension triggered by missile strikes near Ben Gurion Airport earlier in May. Despite the regional instability caused by the ongoing conflict with Hamas, Air France determined it was safe to reintroduce flights following close coordination with Israeli aviation authorities and a reassessment of the security situation.
The restored service will operate daily using 328-seat Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, reinstating a crucial air link between Israel and France, and by extension, Europe. Air France’s return contrasts sharply with the continued withdrawal of other major European carriers such as British Airways and Lufthansa, both of which have cited ongoing safety concerns for crew and passengers. While British Airways has extended its flight suspension to Israel until at least the end of July 2025, Lufthansa Group airlines are holding off on a return until mid-June at the earliest.
Air France’s move is being welcomed in Israel as a critical signal of renewed confidence in flight operations to the country. The resumption of this route is expected to support both business and leisure travel while restoring essential connectivity between Israel and Europe. With Charles de Gaulle serving as a major global hub offering connections to over 300 destinations, the reactivation of this corridor gives Israeli travelers access to broader international networks at a time when options have been severely reduced.
Industry observers see Air France’s return as a cautious but positive step toward reestablishing air service in the region. While some carriers continue to avoid Tel Aviv, citing persistent risk, others are gradually reopening routes or considering alternative operating strategies. Virgin Atlantic, however, has opted to exit the Israeli market altogether, leaving a gap in transatlantic capacity that has driven up fares on remaining services.
British Airways explored options such as crew layovers in neutral third-party countries to bypass overnight stays in Israel, but the operational complexity and additional costs led to a complete halt of services. Lufthansa and its affiliated carriers—including Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, and Eurowings—are continuing to monitor conditions, offering rebooking flexibility while prioritizing safety.
As international carriers weigh security risks and operational feasibility, Air France’s decision to resume daily service to Tel Aviv may encourage other airlines to follow, depending on the evolving geopolitical situation. For now, the airline’s return offers renewed connectivity for passengers traveling between Israel and Europe, particularly at a time when air access has been volatile and often unpredictable.
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