German airline Condor launched daily service between Frankfurt and Tel Aviv over the weekend, making its long-awaited return to Israel at a time of renewed regional tension and uncertainty for international aviation.
The airline’s first scheduled flight landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Saturday evening, as Israel raised its level of preparedness amid the possibility of renewed fighting with Iran and prepared for potential disruptions at the country’s main international airport.
(Photo: Shutterstock)
Condor is represented in Israel by the Tal Aviation Group.
Although this marks the beginning of Condor’s first regular service to Israel, it is technically the second time one of the airline’s aircraft has landed in the country. Seventy years ago, Condor operated a one-time demonstration flight to Ben Gurion Airport for Christian pilgrims, but did not establish a permanent route.
The airline will now operate one flight a day between Frankfurt and Tel Aviv. Condor’s booking system shows flights available on the route throughout August.
According to the company, Saturday’s inaugural flight was fully booked. About 80% of its passengers were scheduled to continue from Frankfurt to destinations in North America and East Asia.
The figure highlights the new route’s role as a connecting service for Israeli travelers, who continue to face a limited selection of nonstop flights to many destinations following years of disruption to foreign airline operations.
Air Haifa launches new Greece route
Air Haifa, meanwhile, opened ticket sales Sunday for a new route between Haifa and Thessaloniki.
Flights to the northern Greek city are scheduled to begin on October 25, with one-way fares starting at 89 euros.
The airline also reported carrying approximately 58,000 passengers in July, twice the number recorded in the same month last year and its highest monthly passenger total since it began operations.
Ethiopian Airlines adds five weekly flights
Ethiopian Airlines, which is also represented in Israel by Tal Aviation, said it would expand its service between Tel Aviv and Addis Ababa from Monday through the end of August.
The airline is adding five weekly flights to its existing schedule, increasing the total number of flights on the route from 21 to 26 a week.
The additional service further strengthens Addis Ababa’s role as a connecting hub for Israeli passengers traveling to destinations across Africa, Asia and other parts of the world. Ethiopian Airlines is currently selling Tel Aviv-Addis Ababa tickets for travel throughout August and September.
TAP postpones return until September
Not every foreign airline is rushing to resume flights to Israel.
TAP Air Portugal, which had planned to restore its Tel Aviv-Lisbon route in August, has extended its suspension until September 15.
The Portuguese flag carrier stopped flying to Israel following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack. It briefly resumed operations afterward but has not maintained continuous service.
TAP’s reservation system currently lists Tel Aviv-Lisbon flights beginning in mid-September, consistent with the revised return date.