Reviving Israel's Tourism: Airlines Slowly Return Amid War Fallout

The tourism and aviation industries in Israel have been significantly impacted by the recent war on Gaza, leading to a drastic reduction in the number of airlines willing to fly into the country. However, there are now signs of a slow but steady revival as a few major airlines begin to resume operations. At the height of the conflict, around 250 airlines were operating in and out of Israel. This number plummeted to just seven in December, leaving the country feeling isolated and cut off from the rest of the world. Yossi Fattal, the director general of Israel's Chamber of Inbound Tourism Organisers, aptly described the situation by comparing it to North Korea's isolation. But there is hope on the horizon as some airlines have started to announce their return to Israel. United Airlines will be the first US carrier to resume flights to Tel Aviv from March, with plans to offer daily non-stop service soon after. British Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Air Europa, Aegean, Air France, ITA Airways, and Brussels Airlines are among the carriers that have either resumed or are set to resume flights to Israel in the coming months. Despite these positive developments, the number of flights is still a fraction of what it used to be before the conflict. Many airlines, including American Airlines, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Finnair, and Icelandair, have yet to announce a return date for their flights to Israel. The impact of the war on tourism in Israel has been profound. The number of international travelers arriving by air saw a slight increase in 2023 compared to the previous year, but the war caused a significant drop in tourist numbers during the conflict period. The tourism industry in Israel, which accounted for a substantial portion of the country's GDP before the COVID-19 pandemic, has been struggling to recover. While the gradual return of airlines to Israel is a positive step towards revitalizing the tourism sector, there is still a long road ahead to fully restore the industry to its pre-war levels. The resilience of Israel's national carrier, El Al, which saw an increase in passenger numbers despite the challenges, underscores the importance of domestic airlines in sustaining connectivity during difficult times. As the country navigates its way through recovery, the return of more airlines to Israel signifies a promising step towards rebuilding the tourism industry and reconnecting with the world.