Major airline returns to Israel - what will change
United Airlines is returning to Israel: from September 8, flights from Ben-Gurion will resume twice daily on Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Prices start from $1,117 one way. El Al's share on North American routes reached 92.3%. Israir is preparing to enter the US market.
United Airlines, the largest American carrier, intends to resume air service with Israel in September. The airline has already notified local partners of the agreed return date, indicating readiness to actually resume flights. The airline stopped flying to Israel, like several other foreign carriers, after the conflict with Iran began in late February. United Airlines plans to resume departures from Ben-Gurion Airport on September 8. Flights will operate twice daily on Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. However, no significant drop in ticket prices is expected yet: fares for the first flights start at about $1,117 one way, and some options are already sold out. In recent months, most direct flights between Israel and the US were operated by El Al and Arkia. El Al's share on North American routes reached 92.3% in the last quarter, up notably from 75.7% a year earlier. Israir also intends to enter the US market soon. The airline received permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to operate flights to the US on a specially purchased aircraft. Earlier, Kursor reported that the European Lufthansa Group plans to significantly increase air traffic to Israel.