Ceasefire Resumes Flights to Israel and Lebanon
Following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, airlines have resumed flights to the region after months of halted services due to intense fighting. The ceasefire, which went into effect on November 27, 2024, has led to a revival of airline activity, with several carriers returning to Israel and Lebanon.
AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines was the first to resume operations following the ceasefire, starting flights from Baku Heydar Aliev International to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion on November 30. This marked the beginning of a wave of airline returnees, with airlines such as TAROM, Hainan Airlines, Etihad Airways, TUS Airways, BlueBird Airways, Corendon Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, Electra Airways, GullivAir, FlyOne, Ethiopian Airlines, Bees Airlines, and SkyUp Airlines also resuming services to Israel.
The resumption of flights has significantly impacted Israel’s air travel sector. With Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport returning to normal operations, Haifa’s airport will also begin operations on December 22, with airHaifa, the newly-founded airline, finally launching services from its intended hub. Initially, airHaifa had to operate from Tel Aviv due to the ongoing conflict, offering flights to Eilat and Larnaca. Additionally, the Rosh Pina Ben Ya’akov airfield in northeastern Israel will also return to service, further enhancing the country’s air connectivity.
Wizz Air, which had initially planned to return in January 2025, has brought forward its plans and will resume flights to Israel as early as December 20. The airline will operate four weekly flights to Larnaca. Other carriers planning to restart flights include Aegean Airlines, Air Seychelles, Air Europa, and Bulgaria Air.
While many airlines are resuming services, some remain cautious about returning. Incoming easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis stated he would not rush to reinstate flights to Israel, opting to wait until the region sees more “sustained” stability. Additionally, no U.S. carriers have resumed operations to Israel, with El Al Israel Airlines remaining the only airline operating flights between Israel and the U.S.
Lebanon’s aviation sector has also seen a revival with Turkish Airlines resuming flights on December 3, 2024, followed by Qatar Airways on December 9 and Etihad Airways on December 18. Middle East Airlines (MEA) flights are reportedly fully booked throughout December due to the ceasefire. Other airlines, such as Iraqi Airways, Royal Jordanian, and SundAir, also resumed flights from Lebanon on December 3.
The ceasefire agreement, which ended 13 months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, has required Israel’s army to withdraw from Lebanon, while the Lebanese army takes over positions near the Israeli border. Unauthorized weapons must be dismantled and confiscated within 60 days, as per the terms of the agreement.
The resumption of flights between Israel and Lebanon signals a return to stability for the region, with airlines capitalizing on the ceasefire to restore air connectivity. However, some carriers remain cautious, highlighting the need for long-term stability before full operations can resume.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com