British Airways (BA) has announced it is set to recommence flights to Tel Aviv, Israel in spring 2024.
The UK flag carrier paused services to the city in October 2024 after the outbreak of the current Israel-Hamas war and flights remain suspended until the end of March. But in a website press release, BA said services would resume on 1 April.
“Commercial decision”
Framing the relaunch as a “commercial decision” that was in line “with other similar length flights we operate”, BA said the intention was “to move Tel Aviv to our short-haul network when we restart our flights on 1 April.” The airline added it would “keep this decision under review” and promised to contact any passengers booked to fly the route to explain how the schedule changes would affect them.
Low demand?
With just four return services per week the aim, and lower-capacity aircraft operating the route, demand is clearly anticipated to be low due to the ongoing regional hostilities.
The route will now involve a stop in Larnaca, Cyprus where a 45-minute crew change will take place, in respect of flight hour regulations and thanks to BA rules that prevent crew from overnighting in Israel.
Website contradictions
At the time of writing, flights are showing as bookable from that date, with prices hovering around £400 (€470). Two cabin classes are available on this route: Euro Traveller (Economy) and Club Europe (Business).
However another BA webpage is still advertising the flights “to the White City” as “direct” and describes the destination “on the eastern edge of the Med” as “perfect year-round destination for anyone seeking a beach holiday with world-renowned architecture, a bewildering range of restaurants, and one of the world’s top places to party.”
Suspensions and relaunches
BA was far from alone in suspending services to Tel Aviv when violence escalated last autumn. By December, flights from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport were still at just 34% of September’s numbers. Only Israeli carrier El Al, and United Arab Emirate airlines Etihad and Fly Dubai have maintained almost uninterrupted operations there.
Israeli destinations have however been starting to appear on the upcoming schedules of a wide range of other carriers who have recommenced or are thinking of relaunching flights, including Ryanair and Easyjet.
Would-be passengers should take into account relevant foreign ministry travel advice from their region and bear in mind that travelling against official advice can affect insurance viability. With security considerations paramount and the security situation unpredictable, many scheduled flights are subject to change and last minute disruption.
