LONDON— British Airways (BA) is set to resume direct flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv on October 25, marking the airline’s first scheduled return to Israel since February.
The planned restart will restore a key connection between the United Kingdom and Israel after months of suspension linked to instability in the Middle East. The return will initially operate at a reduced frequency.
British Airways plans to offer one daily flight on the London-Tel Aviv route, compared with the two daily services it operated before the suspension, giving passengers a direct option between the two major international hubs once again.
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British Airways Return to Tel Aviv
British Airways stopped operating its Tel Aviv flights after the outbreak of the regional conflict on February 28.
The carrier subsequently suspended services to several destinations across the Middle East as it assessed security conditions and the impact of airspace restrictions.
The airline later extended the suspension through October 25, keeping Tel Aviv alongside destinations including Dubai, Bahrain and Amman outside its operating schedule for much of the year.
British Airways said it continued to monitor developments while making changes to its Middle East flying program.
The planned October 25 restart therefore represents a significant change in the carrier’s approach to the Tel Aviv market. However, the initial one-flight-a-day schedule remains below the capacity available before the suspension.
London Tel Aviv Route Resumes Daily Again
The direct route connects London Heathrow with Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international gateway.
The service is important for business travelers, tourists and passengers traveling between the United Kingdom and Israel, while also providing connections through Heathrow to British Airways’ wider network.
Schedule data indicates that British Airways is planning to use an Airbus A321neo on the returning Tel Aviv service.
The aircraft will allow the airline to restore the route with a smaller-capacity aircraft while maintaining a direct service between the two cities.
The airline’s wider Middle East schedule is also changing as it adjusts operations for the 2026/27 winter season. Several routes are returning or changing frequency, while some services remain suspended because of continued regional uncertainty.
Middle East Network Expansion Plans
British Airways’ return to Tel Aviv comes as other international carriers gradually rebuild their Middle East operations.
The airline has already adjusted planned schedules for destinations such as Doha and Riyadh, while its timetable for other regional markets remains subject to operational and security reviews.
The carrier’s parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), owns British Airways and also controls several other major aviation brands. Qatar Airways remains IAG’s largest significant shareholder, holding about 25% of the group’s voting rights at the end of 2025, The Jerusalem Post reported.
For passengers, the October 25 restart will restore a direct British Airways option between London and Tel Aviv after an extended interruption.
Travelers should still check the latest airline schedule before departure because British Airways continues to review its Middle East operations in response to changing conditions.
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