American Airlines Israel Flights Set for March Return, Joining Rivals
In a significant move signaling a return to normalcy, American Airlines has announced it will resume its American Airlines Israel flights in March, ending a suspension that began with the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. The U.S. carrier confirmed on Sunday that it will re-launch its direct service from New York’s JFK airport to Tel Aviv on March 28. This decision brings American in line with its main domestic competitors, Delta and United, which have already restored their own routes to Israel.
The aviation landscape in Israel has been heavily disrupted over the past two years, with numerous international carriers halting services due to security concerns and intermittent missile fire from the region. This prolonged absence of foreign airlines created a significant supply constraint, leaving Israel’s national carriers—El Al, Arkia, and Israir—as the primary operators of international routes. The resulting imbalance between high passenger demand and limited seat availability caused airfares to skyrocket.
Broader Trend of Aviation Recovery
The reinstatement of American Airlines Israel flights is part of a broader trend of international carriers cautiously returning to the Israeli market. This shift follows a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which has improved the perceived security environment. Several European airlines, including British Airways, SAS, Iberia, and Swiss, are scheduled to resume their own flights to Tel Aviv within the current week.
Upon its return in March, American Airlines will become the fifth carrier offering nonstop services between the United States and Israel, joining El Al, Arkia, Delta, and United. United Airlines, in particular, is expanding its footprint beyond its daily Newark flights, with plans to add new routes from Washington starting November 2 and from Chicago beginning November 1. This increased competition is expected to provide more options for travelers and help stabilize the previously inflated airfare market.
Passenger Traffic Rebounds as Market Diversifies
The resumption of services by major international airlines coincides with a notable rebound in passenger traffic. According to data from the Israel Airports Authority, traffic at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv saw a 25% increase during the first nine months of 2025, reaching 13.6 million passengers. This recovery has also led to a more diversified market; while El Al remains a dominant player, its market share has decreased to 32.5% from 44% a year earlier, indicating a healthy redistribution of passengers as other carriers re-enter the field.
