International airlines hesitate to restart Israel routes amid an unstable security situation

International airlines are continuing to delay their return to Israel, leaving travelers with fewer flight options and soaring summer prices even as some carriers cautiously resume service to Ben Gurion International Airport.

British Airways and Spain’s Iberia both announced this week that they are postponing the resumption of flights to Israel, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the regional security situation.

The delays come as Israeli travelers scramble to secure seats for summer vacations amid reduced airline capacity and higher fares.

British Airways had originally planned to resume limited flights in July but said this week that service will not begin before Aug. 1, with further delays possible depending on developments in the region. Iberia, which had been expected to resume flights even earlier, said it will resume flights no earlier than July 27.

The announcements follow American Airlines’ decision last week to suspend flights to and from Israel until at least Jan. 6, 2027, underscoring how cautious many major international carriers remain despite signs of regional stabilization.

Still, several airlines are moving ahead with plans to restore service sooner, betting that strong demand will outweigh the operational and security risks.

Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air said it plans to resume flights from London, Budapest, Bucharest, Larnaca, Warsaw, Milan and Rome beginning as early as May 28. The airline said it is working closely with security agencies and insurance companies to ensure safety requirements are met and believes demand on the routes will justify the risks involved.

At the same time, the company warned that schedules could change rapidly if conditions deteriorate, meaning passengers also face uncertainty when booking tickets that could potentially be canceled at short notice.

Several regional airlines have already resumed shorter routes connecting Israel to nearby destinations. Cyprus Airways and Tus Airways are operating flights between Tel Aviv and Larnaca, while Blue Bird Airways has resumed service between Tel Aviv and Athens.

Budget carrier flydubai was among the first international airlines to restore flights to Israel several weeks ago, while Etihad Airways has resumed flights between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi.

A number of African and Central Asian carriers have also restarted limited operations, though most major European, Canadian and American airlines remain cautious about returning.

The cautious optimism among airlines comes as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) updated its assessment of the regional security environment, stating that the ceasefire between Israel, the U.S. and Iran continues to hold while other conflicts in the region remain at relatively low intensity.

The assessment has provided some reassurance to airlines considering a return to Israel, although insurance companies continue to conduct their own risk evaluations, which heavily influence airline decisions.

One of the most significant announcements came from Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings. The group said it plans to resume limited passenger and cargo service to and from Ben Gurion Airport beginning June 1, though the flights remain subject to ongoing security reviews and could still be canceled on short notice.

Despite the gradual return of some carriers, EASA continues to recommend that airlines avoid the airspace over Lebanon, Iraq and Iran.

Some airlines have also reportedly expressed concerns that the large number of U.S. military aircraft currently stationed at Ben Gurion Airport has reduced available space for commercial operations. Industry officials have additionally warned that the presence of USAF aircraft could make the airport a potential target for Iranian missiles if hostilities resume.