Delta's back, baby! Another airline returns to service Israel

Delta Airlines is returning tomorrow (Tuesday) to service Israel after having ended service since the beginning of the war, thus increasing options for travel - including to the lucrative Tel Aviv-New York line, according to Calcalist.

Delta thus joins with United Airlines in reentering the US-Israel direct routes and ending the effective monopoly of El Al since the war began. This will come as a great relief for many Israelis seeking to travel during the busy Passover season, when demand is high and prices surge. El Al's profitability has also plunged by 7%.

Ever since October 7, Israelis' ability to travel abroad has been hampered by frequent cancellations and the decision of multiple major airlines to stay away from the country due to the danger presented by Hamas, Hezbollah, and later also Houthi rockets and missiles to the planes, crews, and passengers.

At first, all airlines except for El Al and other Israeli airlines stayed away. Then, some of them slowly began to return. This reversed in September, when the IDF launched a ground offensive against Hezbollah, which retaliated by firing multiple long range rockets which scared foreign airlines.

Following the ceasefire in the north and the hostage deal secured in the south, airlines have started returning - beginning with low cost companies such as Ryanair and EasyJet. The opening of Terminal 1, with its lower travel fees for airlines, has also helped to bring back low cost airlines.