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Flights to return to Israel as European Aviation Safety Agency removes restrictions

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Carrier named airline of the year 2025 by AirlineRatings.com. (photo credit: Skycolors. Via Shutterstock)

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has lifted its flight restrictions on Israel, allowing airlines to resume operations and restoring Israel’s position on the global aviation map.

All restrictions imposed by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on flights to Israel have been lifted, and the agency's recommendation to avoid flying to Israel has been removed The Foreign Affairs Ministry announced on Monday.

"This is an important step that will immediately impact major airlines that have not resumed their operations to Israel sinceOperation Rising Lion and missile attacks from Iran. These airlines will now be able to return to flying to Israel, restoring Israel to the international aviation map with full strength," the ministry stated.

EASA, which operates under theEuropean Union and ensures aviation safety in member states and among external operators, addressed the extension of the flight warning issued to Israel last month amid the conflict with Iran.

The warning, known as CZIB Number 2025-02 R2, was issued following a military strike by Israel on Iranian territory, which led to retaliatory attacks from Iran. This created a significant risk to the airspace of Israel, Iran, and neighboring countries, leading many foreign airlines to cease operations. These operations resumed on Monday.

As part of the warning,EASA advised flight operators to avoid flying through Israel’s airspace, as well as similar restrictions in Iran, Iraq, and Jordan, due to concerns over the potential for a renewed deterioration in security and disruptions to air traffic management systems.

 AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

Travelers are seen at the departure hall of the Ben-Gurion Airport on April 4, 2023; illustrative (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

Though the restrictions were originally set to expire, they were extended until today to allow for further assessment of the situation.

The ceasefire between Israel and Iran reached about two weeks ago, has brought relative calm, but concerns persist over the potential collapse of the agreement and the return of violence, particularly due to tensions in Lebanon and on the Hezbollah front.

EASA emphasized that its goal was not to block the skies but to ensure that operators conduct ongoing risk assessments and remain informed with real-time alerts. As a result, the latest recommendations include specific exemptions for flights to Beirut, provided that they land and take off from the sea under close supervision.

However, Israel remains a high-risk area due to its proximity to active conflict zones and the possibility of unintended interceptions. Aviation industry sources predict that if the decision allows regular flights to Israel to resume, it will provide a significant boost to airlines that had canceled flights following the escalation.

This includes major carriers such as Lufthansa and Air France and leading low-cost airlines, which had suspended popular routes to Ben Gurion Airport. Forecasts suggest that once the market stabilizes and demand rises, flight prices may decrease sharply as competition intensifies on several routes.

Along with EASA’s decision, foreign airlines are closely monitoring the position of the Israeli Ministry of Finance. Airlines are demanding compensation or indemnification from the government for losses incurred due to flight cancellations and delays during the military escalations, arguing that the security situation was beyond their control. Without a compensation mechanism, they contend that it will be difficult for them to resume long-term operations in Israel, even if the European warnings are lifted.

The industry has been waiting eagerly for the agency’s decision. The resumption of flights to Israel could bring much-needed hope to the tourism and aviation sectors, which have been severely impacted since June due to the regional airspace closure.

If no unusual developments occur on the ground, most airlines are expected to quickly reopen their routes, aiming to recover their lost revenues.

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