Israel’s aviation landscape has undergone major changes in the past 18 months, with various crises impacting destinations and airlines. The most significant example is Turkey, which has been closed to Israeli flights for almost two years due to diplomatic issues. Other destinations that have been removed from the map include Cape Town, Dublin, Marrakesh, Casablanca, Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh, Amman, and Hong Kong. These changes have resulted in uncertainty and disruptions for travelers.
The absence of airlines such as Turkish Airlines and Pegasus, which used to operate around 20 daily flights to Israel, is not expected to be resolved anytime soon. These carriers have given up their valuable slots at Ben Gurion airport, which allows for convenient and in-demand flight times. Similarly, Air Canada and Air India are not expected to resume operations until September and August respectively.
The closure of Terminal 1 at Ben Gurion airport has also impacted the accessibility of low-cost destinations for Israeli travelers. The return of low-cost airlines, such as Wizz Air, is not expected until September. Popular destinations like London, Amsterdam, and Germany have also become less accessible due to the absence of major airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, and easyJet. These airlines have announced that they will not resume flights until the end of October, effectively giving up on the summer and holiday season.
Amidst all the uncertainty, some new destinations have emerged on the map. El Al has started operating flights to Kefalonia in Greece, while Israir and Arkia have added destinations such as the Peloponnese, Madagascar, Zadar, and Kalamata. SAS is also expected to resume flights to Copenhagen in October, for the first time in years.
According to travel experts, destinations that have seen an increase in popularity in the past year and a half are those that are close, affordable, and considered safe, such as Prague, Burgas, the Balkan countries, Montenegro, and Croatia. Popular destinations like Greece and Cyprus have also maintained their popularity due to accessibility through Israeli airlines.
However, there have also been challenges for certain destinations, such as the United States, which was temporarily affected due to aviation restrictions. The only airline operating flights to the US during this period was El Al, until Arkia recently added this route. On the other hand, there has been an increase in flights to the UAE and other Middle Eastern destinations, as well as nearby destinations like Cyprus and Greece, which have remained popular due to accessibility through Israeli airlines.
In conclusion, the aviation map of Israel has been significantly redrawn, with some destinations disappearing and others emerging. These changes have resulted in uncertainty for travelers, but some destinations have seen an increase in popularity due to their affordability and perceived safety. The return of some airlines and the opening of new routes may provide more options for travelers in the future.