This US carrier is set to resume flights to Israel

WASHINGTON – In a significant move, United Airlines has announced plans to resume flights to Israel early next month, months after the clash in the region triggered flight operation closures.

United Airlines made its decision on Wednesday; the decision to close operations was prompted by the Oct. 7 last year attack, which led to the suspension of service by other major American carriers.

Chicago-based United Airlines revealed that it will initially restart flights from Newark to Tel Aviv, becoming the first American carrier to do so since the attack. However, flights from other US cities will not resume until at least this fall. The airline emphasized that the safety and readiness of service providers were paramount, hence the decision to stop in Munich for initial flights.

The planned resumption of US carrier flights to Tel Aviv signifies a potential turning point for tourism in Israel, which saw a sharp decline in visitors following security concerns arising from the Hamas attack and subsequent conflict. United’s goal is to restore daily nonstop service to Tel Aviv starting March 6 from Newark, utilizing a Boeing 787-10 aircraft.

On March 2 and March 4, the airline will operate flights from Newark to Tel Aviv with a stop in Munich, Germany, “to ensure all service providers are ready to support non-stop service to and from Newark,” the airline said.

To ensure safety, United Airlines conducted a detailed analysis in consultation with security experts and government officials from both the US and Israel. The airline stated its commitment to monitoring the situation in Tel Aviv and adjusting schedules accordingly.

United Airline’s decision to resume flights follows similar moves by other airlines, including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Aegean, and Air France, which have already restarted services to Tel Aviv. This collective effort underscores the gradual recovery of confidence in travel to the region and signals a positive step forward for the tourism industry in Israel.

Despite the violence that erupted on October 7th last year, shaking the international community, efforts to broker a ceasefire have seen some success in the past, although the situation remains fragile. The ongoing Gaza conflict has resulted in over 29,000 casualties, surpassing historical death tolls.

Earlier, Qatar played a role in brokering a short-lived ceasefire amidst the tense situation. However, the deeply rooted conflict in Gaza, involving historical and political factors such as land, borders, and Palestinian rights, persists despite calls for peace.

Violence continues unabated, with Gaza’s hospitals stretched beyond capacity, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region.