Major Airlines Delay Return to Israel Amid Ongoing Security Concerns: LOT and Lufthansa Group

Travel plans for thousands of passengers were disrupted once again as several major European airlines extended their suspension of flights to and from Israel, citing ongoing security concerns.

Polish carrier LOT Airlines announced it will not resume operations to Israel until May 26, revising its earlier plan for an earlier return. The decision follows a similar move by the Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings. The group has now pushed back the resumption of its Tel Aviv routes to at least May 25 (inclusive).

This update comes despite prior signals from Lufthansa that it was considering reinstating afternoon flights as early as next week. However, safety concerns appear to have overridden those plans.

Rebooking and Refund Options

Passengers affected by the latest round of cancellations are being offered flexible solutions. The Lufthansa Group and LOT have stated that travelers may cancel their tickets free of charge or rebook to a later date.

Industry sources say that airlines remain cautious, balancing safety concerns for flight crews with the financial burden of continuing flight suspensions.

Some Carriers Resume Operations

While many carriers are still postponing their return to Israel, some airlines have begun to resume services to Ben Gurion Airport:

• Wizz Air and Air Europa have already restarted flights.

• Air France is set to return today, followed by its low-cost arm Transavia tomorrow.

• Aegean Airlines has announced it will resume operations on Monday, May 19.

• Azerbaijan Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines have also resumed their routes.

Financial and Operational Dilemma for Airlines

European airlines are grappling with a difficult situation. Israel represents a highly profitable market, with long-haul flights typically priced higher than short intra-European routes. The extended suspensions come at a critical time, just ahead of the lucrative summer travel season.

A prolonged absence from the Israeli market could result in substantial financial losses, yet airlines are unwilling to compromise on crew safety amid the regional tensions.

Industry observers had hoped that a decision by a major player like Lufthansa to resume service would trigger a broader wave of airline returns. However, with caution still prevailing, such a revival appears delayed.