AVIATION
February 2026
Aviation Boom in Tel Aviv: Major Carriers Announce
Historic Expansion of Flight Services
Etihad Airways breaks records with six daily flights as Azerbaijan Airlines and TAP Air Portugal significantly increase capacity, making travel to Israel more accessible than ever T he skies over Tel Aviv are set to become busier than ever as international airlines flights. Beginning June 15, the airline will operate six daily flights, totaling 42 weekly departures. This for tourists flying to Israel from popular origins such as Thailand, Tokyo, South Korea, have flexible and frequent options when planning their visit to Israel.
and the Philippines—all of which have seen massive spikes in passenger traffic through the Abu Dhabi hub recently. Simultaneously, connectivity between the Caucasus region and Israel is expanding rapidly. Azerbaijan Airlines
Looking further ahead to European connectivity, TAP Air Portugal has announced it will resume operations to Israel starting in late March 2026. The airline plans to reinstate five weekly flights connecting Lisbon to Tel Aviv, restoring a crucial link for travelers coming from Western Europe, North America, and South America via Portugal. Together, these expansions by Etihad, Azerbaijan Airlines, and TAP Air Portugal reflect a robust recovery and a deepening commitment to keeping Israel firmly connected to the global travel map.
announce unprecedented expansions to their routes serving Ben Gurion International Airport. In a move that signals strong confidence in the Israeli tourism market and dramatically improves accessibility for global travelers, major carriers are increasing their flight frequencies to historic levels. Leading this aviation surge is Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, alongside significant growth from Azerbaijan Airlines and the return of TAP Air Portugal. For the first time since its inception, Etihad Airways has designated the Tel Aviv–Abu Dhabi route as a premier strategic priority, crossing the threshold of five daily
places Tel Aviv in an exclusive tier of strategic destinations within Etihad’s global network, joining major hubs like Bangkok, Riyadh, and Mumbai. This expansion utilizes the Airbus A321 and is driven by soaring demand; in 2025 alone, over 300,000 passengers flew this route with an average occupancy of 90%. For international tourists, specifically those coming from Asia and the Pacific, this development offers seamless connectivity. While many passengers utilize Abu Dhabi for point-to-point travel, approximately 70% of travelers on this route currently use it to connect to onward destinations. The increased frequency allows for smoother connections
has submitted a request to airport authorities to
increase its service from 14 to 21 weekly flights, with a future goal of reaching 28 weekly flights. This expansion comes on the heels of a record-breaking year where passenger numbers on the Baku-Tel Aviv route jumped by 158%. With Israel ranking among the top ten countries for tourism to Azerbaijan, the route has become a vital bridge between the nations. This increase ensures that travelers from the region
22 • www.itn.co.il
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