Ethiopian Airlines is set to resume passenger flights to Israel’s capital, Tel Aviv as of Thursday after weeks of suspension due to the conflict in the Middle East.
The airline plans to operate two flights a day and is set to increase in the coming weeks after assessing security situations of the region.
The Addis Ababa-based carrier suspended its Israel operations on February 28, citing security concerns following a rapid escalation in regional conflict that led to airspace disruptions and heightened risks to civilian aviation.
The suspension formed part of a broader pause affecting multiple Middle Eastern destinations as airlines reassessed operational safety.
Although most foreign airlines have yet to resume operations to Israel following the ceasefire with Iran, reports from Israeli media indicate that several carriers are preparing to restart services. Ethiopian Airlines is among roughly nine airlines expected to relaunch Tel Aviv routes.
According to those reports, Blue Bird Airways has already resumed Tel Aviv–Athens flights, initially operating one daily service.
Etihad Airways is set to renew Tel Aviv–Abu Dhabi flights from April 15 with two daily services, while Cyprus-based TUS Airways plans to resume flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport.
Further resumptions are expected, with Hainan Airlines planning to restart Tel Aviv–Beijing flights, while Russia’s Red Wings Airlines, Georgian Airways and FlyOne are also expected to return to the route later this week.
However, the operating environment remains uncertain. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has extended its advisory against flying over large parts of the Middle East, including Israel, until April 24, reflecting ongoing security concerns.
Miri Regev, Israel’s transport chief overseeing the country’s aviation recovery efforts, said the government was working to restore the sector to full operations, adding that the return of foreign airlines would reopen access to a wider range of destinations.
The Israel Airports Authority said advanced negotiations were under way to bring back additional foreign carriers, including flydubai.
MG/APA