Airlines Resume Flights to Israel After Cease-Fire

Image: Airlines are starting to return to Tel Aviv after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was negotiated. (photo via vblinov/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Image: Airlines are starting to return to Tel Aviv after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was negotiated. (photo via vblinov/iStock/Getty Images Plus)
Rich Thomaselli
by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 3:09 PM ET, Sat May 22, 2021

European and U.S. airlines - including American, Delta and United - have resumed flights to Israel following a negotiated cease-fire between the Israelis and Hamas.

Violence between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that has long protested the Israelis' occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, intensified earlier this month to include rocket attacks at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.

That prompted airlines to suspend operations.

But the cease-fire has stopped the violence, if not frayed nerves, and airlines quickly pivoted. United, Delta and American said Friday they are resuming flights to Tel Aviv, according to The Times of Israel.

Delta flew from New York to Tel Aviv on Friday night, with a return trip happening on Sunday. The airline said it will "closely monitor the security situation and will make adjustments to our flight schedules as necessary," spokesman Morgan Durrant told the paper.

United also resumed service Friday night, with a flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Tel Aviv. A spokeswoman said the airline plans to also resume flights from Chicago and San Francisco over the weekend. United halted flights from all three cities to Israel on May 12.

As for American, the airline said it will restart its New York-Tel Aviv flights on Monday.

Lufthansa, Austrian and Swiss airlines will restart flights on Sunday; Emirates Airlines and FlyDubai never stopped flying between Israel and the Gulf.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Rich Thomaselli

Rich Thomaselli

Associate Writer

Editor Associate Writer true 9281 14744 Rich Thomaselli has written for TravelPulse since 2014 and has been a professional journalist for nearly 40 years. His work has appeared in USA Today, the New York Times and New York Yankees publications. He is an 11-time writ

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
How Risk-Free Groups with Collette Skyrocket GrowthMonday, October 5, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Group travel is your Ticket to business growth. Looking to grow your travel business? Join Matt...
Upcoming Webinar
Social Media Made Simple for UTuesday, October 6, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Social media doesn't have to be complicated. Join Millie Britt, our Digital Marketing Coordinator, for...
Upcoming Webinar
Green Getaways 2026: Sustainable Travel That Gives BackWednesday, October 7, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West and TravelPulse in the virtual studios for an exclusive webinar on...
Upcoming Webinar
How Risk-Free Groups with Collette Skyrocket GrowthMonday, October 5, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Group travel is your Ticket to business growth. Looking to grow your travel business? Join Matt...
Upcoming Webinar
Social Media Made Simple for UTuesday, October 6, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Social media doesn't have to be complicated. Join Millie Britt, our Digital Marketing Coordinator, for...
Upcoming Webinar
Green Getaways 2026: Sustainable Travel That Gives BackWednesday, October 7, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West and TravelPulse in the virtual studios for an exclusive webinar on...