United to Resume Tel Aviv Flights Earlier Than Expected as Airlines Tiptoe Back into Israel

Wizz Air also eyes August comeback with limited routes to Larnaca and Budapest

United Airlines is bringing back its Tel Aviv service from New York sooner than planned, marking a cautious return by international carriers to Israel’s war-strained skies. The first flight touches down July 21 — ten days ahead of schedule — as the industry tries to recalibrate amid tensions with Iran.

The airline said its second daily flight would be reinstated the very next day. Ticket sales quietly went live Tuesday on United’s website, drawing interest from families and business travelers alike who’ve been caught in limbo for months.

This isn’t just about filling seats. It’s about testing the waters in a region that’s been anything but predictable.

A Measured Move After Months of Airspace Turmoil

United had previously pushed its Tel Aviv flights out to July 31, citing the volatile security situation following April’s escalation between Israel and Iran. At the time, Ben Gurion International Airport sat eerily quieter, with a fraction of its usual takeoffs.

Now, with conditions appearing to stabilize, at least temporarily, the airline says it’s confident enough to resume service — but it’s doing so slowly.

One flight on July 21. Two on July 22. Baby steps.

That tentative rhythm shows how nervous the industry still is. The FAA and European safety regulators have remained cautious about overflight permissions. While Tel Aviv has been open, most carriers haven’t been rushing in.

Behind the Return: Business, Politics, and Demand

There’s more going on here than just clear skies.

Sources say United’s decision came after quiet consultations with both Israeli and U.S. transportation officials. The resumption aligns with growing calls from pro-Israel advocacy groups and business leaders who’ve pressured airlines to restore routes to a nation they view as a strategic partner.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev, never one to shy from the spotlight, had been actively pushing for routes to resume since late June. She hailed United’s return as a “vote of confidence” in Israel’s security apparatus.

Meanwhile, demand from Israeli-American dual citizens has remained strong — especially with summer weddings, school breaks, and religious pilgrimages piling up on calendars.

Wizz Air Steps In with a Budget-Friendly Comeback

United’s not alone. Hungary-based Wizz Air also confirmed it’s speeding up its own restart.

After weeks of back-and-forth with Israeli officials, Wizz says it’ll launch flights on August 8, starting with Tel Aviv routes to Larnaca and Budapest. Tickets go on sale Wednesday.

That might seem modest, but Wizz’s move matters. It signals that low-cost carriers — typically more risk-sensitive and profit-driven — are seeing opportunity again in Israel’s skies.

Here’s what Wizz has confirmed so far:

• Launch Date: August 8

• Routes: Tel Aviv to Larnaca (Cyprus) and Budapest (Hungary)

• Ticket Sales: Begin Wednesday

• Future Plans: More routes “to be announced” in coming weeks

Wizz CEO József Váradi reportedly spoke directly with Regev in recent days to finalize the timeline, after what one official described as a “tough but positive” set of negotiations.

Airline Traffic to Israel: Before vs After

Airlines have pulled back sharply since April. But recent signs suggest a gradual thaw. Here’s a snapshot of international carriers flying to Ben Gurion Airport, pre-war vs post-April:

One sentence, short and quick — El Al never stopped flying.

Safety Still a Cloud Over Resumption Plans

Let’s be clear: this isn’t back to normal. Not yet.

While missiles aren’t flying between Iran and Israel the way they were in April, the threat hasn’t vanished. U.S. intelligence has warned of potential Hezbollah retaliation. Iron Dome batteries remain deployed in the north, and airlines remain jumpy about Gaza rocket fire.

Which is why most carriers are staying quiet about long-term plans. Delta and American Airlines, for instance, still list “suspended until further notice” on their Tel Aviv pages.

The hope is that a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, still being negotiated, will pave the way for a more stable fall schedule.

Travelers Caught Between Heart and Head

Some passengers are ready to fly. Others aren’t there yet.

Maya Cohen, a New Jersey mother of three, says she booked her United tickets Tuesday afternoon the minute she saw the update. Her daughter is getting married in Herzliya in August. “We were terrified this wouldn’t happen,” she said. “We’re going no matter what.”

But not everyone’s sold. David Eitan, a Tel Aviv-based startup founder, says his team has pushed all travel to the U.S. into Q4. “Until things calm down and stay calm, we’re not flying unless we absolutely have to,” he said.

So there you have it — a tale of two travel mindsets. Hope and hesitation. Celebration and caution.

And that’s pretty much the state of Israeli aviation right now.