Turkish Airlines has officially canceled its flight routes to Israel, marking a permanent suspension of its services between Türkiye and Israel. The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) confirmed the airline’s decision on Monday. This move follows the suspension of operations after the onset of the multi-front conflict in October 2023.
The airline, which had previously operated as one of the busiest foreign carriers in Israel, has now relinquished its flight slots at Ben Gurion International Airport. This decision effectively ends Turkish Airlines’ operations to Israel, with no immediate plans to resume flights due to the ongoing unrest.
Before the conflict, Turkish Airlines operated 10 daily flights between Istanbul and Tel Aviv, alongside five weekly services between Tel Aviv and Antalya. These routes were central to the airline’s presence in Israel. The relinquishment of flight slots, which provide the necessary permissions for landings and takeoffs, further signals that the airline has no plans to return in the near future.
This decision follows similar actions by other international carriers. On the same day, Virgin Atlantic also announced the cancellation of its services between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv. Initially set to resume flights to Tel Aviv in October 2024, Virgin Atlantic has opted instead to continue serving the city through a codeshare agreement with Israel’s national carrier, El Al.
Turkish Airlines had long been a significant player in the Israeli aviation sector, offering full-service flights to key Turkish destinations, including Istanbul and the resort city of Antalya. However, the ongoing instability in the region has forced the airline to reassess its operations, with no clear timeline for the resumption of services.
