El Al Resumes Moscow, Eilat Flights
Israel’s national carrier, El Al Airlines, has announced plans to resume flights between Tel Aviv and Moscow starting May 1, 2025, following a thorough review that confirmed the safety of Russia’s airspace. This decision enables El Al to rejoin a select group of Western carriers, including Air Serbia, Etihad, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines, that are currently permitted to fly to Moscow. The carrier will operate seven flights per week on the 1,622-mile route from Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion Airport to Moscow, targeting Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport as the destination for daily departures.
El Al had maintained service to the Russian capital until the end of 2024, but flights were halted after concerns arose following the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight in December 2024. The incident, which reportedly involved Russian anti-aircraft fire and resulted in the loss of 38 lives when the aircraft crashed while attempting to land in Kazakhstan, raised significant safety and operational issues. In response, El Al suspended its operations to Moscow until a comprehensive situation assessment could be conducted. After extensive discussions with Russian authorities and careful review of the airspace conditions, the airline determined that it was safe to resume flights, a decision that reflects both renewed confidence in operational safety and a commitment to restoring important flight routes.
According to an official statement from the airline, resuming flights to Moscow is part of El Al’s broader strategy to expand its destination network and provide passengers with enhanced connectivity. The decision is seen as particularly significant amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and many Western countries. While Israel remains a key ally of the United States, it has also sought to maintain strong cultural and historical ties with Russia. With nearly 15% of Israel’s population comprised of Russian speakers, many of whom continue to hold Russian citizenship or have close family ties to Russia, the resumption of these flights carries both economic and cultural importance. Israel’s balanced approach—supporting humanitarian aid to Ukraine while refraining from joining sanctions against Russia—reflects its desire to preserve these long-standing connections, which are vital to the nation’s social and economic fabric.
In a related development announced on the same day, the Israel Airport Authority revealed that El Al will also resume domestic flights between Tel Aviv and Eilat on May 1, 2025. The 169-mile route, which had been suspended for 12 years due to security concerns at Eilat Airport, is set for a comeback. The resumption of this service is expected to revitalize travel between the capital and the southernmost Red Sea resort city, enhancing connectivity for both leisure and business travelers. With these strategic moves, El Al is positioning itself to capture increased passenger demand while supporting its long-term network expansion plans.
By reinstating the Tel Aviv-Moscow and Tel Aviv-Eilat routes, El Al is not only enhancing its international and domestic service offerings but also reaffirming its role as a bridge between diverse cultures and markets. This initiative is expected to boost travel, strengthen bilateral ties, and reinforce the airline’s commitment to safety, efficiency, and connectivity in an evolving global aviation landscape.
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