Paris, here we come! Transavia returns to Israel for France flights

In another sign of things of routine returning to Israel, Dutch low-cost airline Transavia will once again service Israel, providing flights to and from Paris three times a week.

Transavia is but one of a number of European low-cost airlines, including Ryanair and Wizzair, which are returning to provide Israelis with ever cheaper options for travelling to Europe.

All airlines stopped servicing Israel following the breakout of the war on October 7 and only fitfully returned to Ben Gurion Airport, often suspending flights in the event of escalation or missile barrages.

This was especially true during September, when Israel launched a ground offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah retaliated by firing longer range missiles which endangered civilian airplanes, leading to a mass exodus from Israel and a wariness of returning to the Israeli market.

Following the ceasefire in the north with Hezbollah, which is still holding up, and the ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas, increasing numbers of airlines have either already returned to Israel or announced their intention to do so.

One prominent example is the Lufthansa air group, the largest air corporate group in the world, and one considered to be a bellwether in the field of air travel. Many hope that other airlines will soon follow suit and bring down prices even further.

While Delta Airlines has announced a return to Israel, other American airlines have thus far not followed suit, due to fear of possible cancellations due to emergencies and subsequent costs. Congressmembers and Senators have attacked these airlines for carrying out an effective boycott of Israel in the name of safety.

For Israeli citizens and residents who have had to rely almost exclusively on El Al, with its necessarily skyrocketing prices and overbooked flights, every new company coming in means lower prices and more availability for travel - either for business or leisure.