• Ben Gurion Airport reopened in an extremely limited format on the evening of March 2, with operations set to expand gradually starting March 3, contingent on security conditions.
  • Only Israeli carriers are permitted to resume flights initially, with El Al, Arkia, and Israir implementing ticket sales halts and alternative routing strategies to evacuate stranded passengers.
  • Approximately 150,000 Israelis were stranded abroad, with thousands returning via reinforced land crossings with Egypt and Jordan, while airlines commit to repatriating customers at no additional cost.

A Cautious Return to Normalcy

Israel's airspace began a tentative reopening on Wednesday night, with Ben Gurion Airport resuming operations in what officials described as an "extremely limited format." This follows the closure triggered by Operation Roaring Lion, the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that commenced on February 28, which led to retaliatory Iranian missile attacks and widespread aviation chaos across the Middle East. Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced that Israel is preparing a gradual reopening subject to security developments, emphasizing that an organized plan has been developed balancing operational capacity with security protocols.

Efforts to restore flight operations have hit a snag, as only Israeli carriers are currently authorized to resume flights during this initial phase. The three major Israeli airlines—El Al, Arkia, and Israir—have varying ticket sales halts: El Al suspended sales until March 21, Arkia until March 15, and Israir until March 18, according to people familiar with the matter. This indicates airlines are managing cash flow and capacity planning amid significant operational uncertainty, with the extended freezes reflecting a cautious approach to the fragile security environment.

Rescue Missions and Alternative Routes

Airlines are implementing alternative routing strategies to evacuate stranded passengers, a move that underscores the scale of the crisis. Arkia began rescue flights on March 1, operating routes between Athens, Rome, Larnaca, and Sofia to Taba in Egypt. El Al is planning rescue flights from more than 20 cities including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Bangkok, London, and Paris to bring back an estimated 40,000 stranded passengers, giving priority to humanitarian and medical cases. Israir initiated recovery flights to Taba from six European cities starting March 2. Without these measures, the logistical challenges would have overwhelmed the system, forcing reliance on land crossings.

El Al is also examining private airline options, such as KlasJet, for European-to-Taba and European-to-Aqaba flights, subject to Israeli and security authority approval. This highlights the industry's scramble to adapt, with partnerships and temporary solutions becoming crucial. The use of alternative gateways in Egypt and Jordan represents a stopgap measure requiring coordination with neighboring countries, revealing the tenuous nature of regional aviation infrastructure during periods of heightened tension.

Humanitarian and Financial Fallout

The airspace closure has created a significant humanitarian situation, with approximately 150,000 Israelis stranded abroad and an additional 34,000 tourists currently in Israel. Transportation Minister Miri Regev indicated that thousands have already returned via reinforced land crossings with Egypt and Jordan, which remain operational—the Taba crossing operates 24 hours, while three Jordan crossings operate during day and evening hours. Airlines are committing to repatriate all customers at no additional cost, a move that could strain their finances if the conflict persists or escalates.

From a financial perspective, the closure has effectively halted all international commercial aviation for Israeli carriers, impacting revenue streams and operational stability. The gradual reopening pace depends entirely on security developments in the conflict with Iran, with authorities maintaining contact with neighboring countries regarding traveler movement. Full restoration of normal international air traffic remains contingent on sustained de-escalation and security assessments by Israeli authorities, leaving the industry in a holding pattern. As one source put it, "We're taking it day by day, with safety as our top priority."