By Zachy Hennessey – israel21c.org

Ben Gurion Airport is to reopen Terminal One in the last week of March in anticipation of a surge in travel expected over the Pesach holiday season.

The announcement comes as air travel to Israel is back on the rise — or at least, it’s gearing up to be. Tensions between Israel and its neighbors have begun to wane (somewhat) and international airlines have, in turn, begun announcing their respective returns to the Middle Eastern country.

As detailed in our ever-updating list of airlines flying to Israel, a majority of airlines are back to serving flights to the country, and several more — including Delta, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia and United Airlines — are expected to return in the months leading up to June.

Terminal One at Ben Gurion will handle over 1,377 departures in April, according to Israel Airport Authority figures. These flights — which will be served by a range of carriers including El Al, Arkia, Israir, Wizz Air, Ryanair, and EasyJet — will represent about 25% of the airport’s total outbound passenger traffic.

The IAA has begun a hiring spree in advance of the Spring holiday season, seeking out dozens of new operations and security workers.

The terminal’s reopening follows its most recent closure in November 2024 for repairs. The terminal had initially been closed following the events of October 7, 2023, and remained so until a brief reopening last June.

Airlines flying to Israel

The below list is subject to change as events continue to unfold, but here’s a look at what airlines are up to vis-à-vis Israel, as of March 2, 2025:

Airlines currently offering flights to and from Israel (in alphabetical order):

Aegean Airlines (Europe)
Air Baltic (Europe)
Air Europa (Europe)
Air France (Europe)
Air India (Asia)
Arkia (Europe, Middle East) – new direct route (New York to Tel Aviv) available as of February 2025
Austrian Airlines (Europe)
Azerbaijan Airlines (Europe)
Blue Bird (Europe, Middle East)
Biz Airlines (Europe)
Brussels Airlines (Europe)
Bulgaria Air (Europe)
Corendon Airlines (Middle East)
Cyprus Airways (Europe)
El Al (Europe, North America, Asia, Africa)
Ethiopian Airlines (Africa)
Etihad Airways (Middle East)
Eurowings (Europe)
FlyDubai (Middle East)
Georgian Airways (Europe)
Hainan Airlines (Asia)
Heisaki (Europe)
Israir (Europe, Middle East)
ITA (Europe)
KLM (Europe)
LOT (Europe)
Lufthansa (Europe)
Smart Wings (Europe)
Sun D’Or (Middle East)
Swiss Airlines (Europe)
TAP Air Portugal (Europe)
TUS Airways (Europe, Middle East)
Virgin Atlantic (Europe)
Wizz Air (Europe)

Airlines currently postponing Israel flights:

Air Canada (North America) – flights resuming in June, with new direct route to Toronto, followed by flights to Montreal in August
American Airlines (North America) – flights canceled until September 2025
British Airways (Europe) – direct flights (Tel Aviv to London) to resume April 5
Cathay Pacific (Asia) – flights to Israel postponed until May 27
Croatia Air (Europe) – flights cancelled indefinitely
Delta (North America) – direct flights from New York to Israel resuming April 1
Easyjet (Europe) – flights to Israel canceled until at least March 29
Emirates (Middle East) – flights suspended indefinitely
Finnair (Europe)
Iberia (Europe) – flights suspended until April 1
Icelandair (Europe) – flights suspended indefinitely
Korean Air (Asia) – flights suspended indefinitely
Ryanair (Europe) – flights to resume in Summer of 2025
Transavia (Europe) – flights cancelled until after March 2025
United Airlines (North America) – flights resuming March 15 (Newark to Tel Aviv), with second direct route beginning March 29
Vueling (Europe) – flights canceled indefinitely