British Airways and Iberia Express Resume Israel Flights
The airlines have officially reinstated their commercial services connecting major European hubs to Tel Aviv.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Air Travel
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British Airways and Iberia Express have resumed commercial flight operations to Israel. Both carriers had previously suspended their routes earlier this year.
Why it matters
The return of these carriers restores key international air links to Ben Gurion Airport. This resumption follows lengthy suspensions that had limited direct travel options to the region from London and Madrid.
British Airways is operating flights from London Heathrow, while Iberia Express is reinstating its daily service from Madrid. The Iberia Express route includes a scheduled stopover in Athens for crew changes when flying into Tel Aviv.
The players
British Airways
This flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom operates an extensive international network from its primary hub at London Heathrow Airport.
Iberia Express
A low-cost subsidiary of the Spanish flag carrier Iberia, this airline operates short and medium-haul routes from its main hub in Madrid.
The details
British Airways landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday to mark the official return of its service. Meanwhile, Iberia Express has transitioned back to a daily service model, though its flights from Tel Aviv to Madrid will operate as nonstop routes.
Timeline
Mid-January 2026: Iberia Express suspended its Tel Aviv route.
Feb. 28, 2026: British Airways suspended services to Israel.
Oct. 26, 2026: British Airways and Iberia Express resumed flights to Tel Aviv.
Travel Outlook
This restart reverses the broader trend of route retractions that defined early 2026 for major European carriers in the region. It signals a move toward normalizing international transit patterns as airlines adjust their operational capacities to re-establish connectivity.
Travelers looking to book these routes can now access daily service options from Madrid or regular connections from London. Those flying with Iberia Express should account for the scheduled crew-change stopover in Athens during their inbound journey to Israel.
The takeaway
The restoration of these routes provides travelers with greater flexibility for reaching Tel Aviv via major European hubs. Passengers are encouraged to verify their specific flight details, as operational requirements like crew-change stops may impact transit times.
Further reading
For more information on current global flight routes and airline updates, visit the Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News.
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