Delta Air Lines has announced its plans to resume flights to Israel starting June 7, marking a significant move in the aftermath of the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel.
This decision positions Delta as the second major U.S. carrier to reinstate flights to the region, following United Airlines’ recent resumption of services from Newark earlier this month.
The airline disclosed that it will initiate daily flights between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv, deploying an Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. Delta’s decision follows a comprehensive security risk assessment conducted by the airline in coordination with relevant authorities.
The airline aims to provide approximately 2,000 weekly seats from New York to Israel, while closely monitoring the situation in Israel in collaboration with government and private-sector partners.
Delta’s move to restart flights comes after a period of suspension, during which United, American Airlines, and Delta all halted U.S. service to Israel in response to the Hamas attack. This resumption of flights by major carriers signals a potential turning point for travel to Israel, as tourism had significantly declined due to security concerns following the October incident and subsequent military actions.
Before the suspension, United operated four direct daily flights to Tel Aviv from Newark, San Francisco, Washington, and Chicago. While the airline has resumed service from Newark, it plans to evaluate the resumption of flights from other U.S. cities starting in the fall.
Several other international airlines, including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Aegean, and Air France, have also restarted flights to Tel Aviv in recent times, reflecting a gradual normalization of air travel to the region.
American Airlines, however, has extended its flight suspension through Oct. 28, citing ongoing security considerations. Last October, more than 30 U.S. lawmakers urged airlines to resume flights to Israel “as soon as possible,” highlighting the importance of connectivity and normalcy in the region.
Chioma Kalu
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