Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and Virgin Atlantic Drop Tel Aviv Flights Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
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Three major airlines have decided not to resume flights to Israel, despite the apparent normalization of conditions in the region in recent months.
The carriers—Turkey’s Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines, along with Britain’s Virgin Atlantic—have lost their takeoff and landing slots at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel’s main gateway.
The move follows the airlines’ decision not to renew their exemption from slot retention rules, which had been granted amid the resumption of hostilities following Hamas' terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.
As reported by AEROIN via the Times of Israel, Turkish Airlines was the fourth-largest operator at Ben Gurion Airport before the conflict escalated. Virgin Atlantic, which had repeatedly postponed its return to Israel, has now permanently shelved those plans.
The Israeli military actions in Gaza have driven tourists away—both those opposed to the humanitarian impact of the campaign against Hamas, and those who simply no longer feel safe in the country. With alternative Mediterranean destinations available, Israel has dropped to the bottom of the list for international travelers.
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