WASHINGTON- United Airlines (UA) announced Saturday it will resume flight services from New York (JFK) to Tel Aviv (TLV) on June 5, 2025, becoming the second US carrier to return to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) since a Houthi ballistic missile impacted the airfield earlier this month.
The airline stated the resumption follows a detailed assessment of operational considerations for the region and close coordination with unions representing flight attendants and pilots.
JFK Control Tower; Photo- Pat Guiney | Wikimedia CommonsUnited Tel Aviv to New York Flights
United Airlines, along with most foreign airlines, halted flight services between New York’s Newark Airport (EWR) and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) on May 4, 2025.
The suspension occurred after a ballistic missile from Yemen struck an area at Israel’s main international airport, prompting immediate safety concerns across the aviation industry.
The Houthi missile impacted in a grove of trees alongside an access road close to Terminal 3, several hundred meters from the airport control tower.
The strike highlighted the ongoing security risks facing commercial aviation operations in the region, prompting airlines to prioritize passenger and crew safety over service continuity.
Photo: Ryanair Boeing 737-800 – Free photo on PixabayFlight Cancellations
Foreign airlines have repeatedly extended cancellations of flights to and from Israel since the May 4 incident, leaving many Israelis stranded overseas and forcing vacation cancellations.
The widespread suspension of services has created significant disruption for travellers planning trips to and from Israel during the crucial summer travel season.
Popular Irish low-cost airline Ryanair (FR) extended its suspension of flight services to Tel Aviv until July 31 on Wednesday, joining British Airways (BA) in avoiding the destination for much of the peak summer season.
The announcement followed Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary’s statement that the low-cost carrier was “losing patience” with repeated security disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and could consider moving aircraft to service alternative destinations.
Photo: Aviation MultiverseEuropean Carriers
The Lufthansa group, whose carriers include SWISS (LX), Austrian Airlines (OS), Brussels Airlines (SN), and Eurowings (EW), announced Monday it was extending the cancellation of flight services until at least June 15, moving from the previously announced date of June 8.
The German airline group’s decision reflects broader concerns within the European aviation industry about operating in the current security environment.
Other carriers extending their flight suspensions since May 4 include Latvian airline AirBaltic (BT), easyJet (U2), Iberia (IB), and Transavia (HV).
These suspensions demonstrate the widespread impact of the security incident on international aviation connections to Israel, affecting carriers across multiple European markets.
Photo: By Duan Zhu – http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-France/Boeing-777-328-ER Wikimedia CommonsAirlines Resume Flights to Tel Aviv
Among the few foreign airlines that have recently resumed flight services to Israel are Delta (DL), Air France (AF), Wizz Air (W6), Ethiopian Airlines (ET), Etihad Airways (EY), and Aegean Airlines (A3).
These carriers have determined that security conditions allow for safe operations, though they continue monitoring the situation closely for any changes.
The selective resumption of services highlights the varying risk assessments that different airlines conduct when evaluating operations in challenging security environments.
Each carrier applies its own safety standards and operational criteria when making decisions about service restoration.
Photo: X UserOngoing Conflict
Foreign airlines have repeatedly cancelled and resumed flights to and from Israel since the war in the Gaza Strip broke out with the Hamas-led onslaught on October 7, 2023.
The fluctuating service levels reflect the dynamic security situation affecting commercial aviation in the region.
The ongoing security situation, which at the height of the war included rocket and drone attacks from Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, and Iraq, plus two large missile barrages from Iran, has created persistent operational challenges.
These security threats have forced airlines to continuously reassess their risk tolerance and operational capabilities in the region.
Photo: El Al / Boeing 737-958(ER) / 4X-EHD | Victor | FlickrIsraeli Airlines Gain Dominance
The departure of foreign carriers has led Israeli airlines, chiefly El Al (LY), to operate at near-monopoly levels on some routes while setting elevated ticket prices.
The reduced competition has created pricing pressures for travellers, who face limited options when booking flights to and from Israel.
United Airlines’ decision to resume services provides additional capacity and competition on the crucial New York-Tel Aviv route, potentially offering travellers more options and competitive pricing as the summer travel season approaches.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
Air France to Resume Paris to Tel Aviv Flights with 777
The post United Airlines Resumes New York to Tel Aviv Flights appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
