El Al Israel Airlines resumes Moscow flights after four-month pause

Key Takeaways

• El Al Israel Airlines resumed Tel Aviv-Moscow flights May 1, 2025, after a four-month safety suspension.
• Flights stopped after an Azerbaijani plane was downed by a Pantsir missile, raising regional airspace concerns.
• Seven weekly flights now operate with Boeing 737-900s, reflecting ongoing security reviews and high demand among Russian-speaking Israelis.

El Al Israel Airlines has resumed its flights to Moscow 🇷🇺, bringing back a direct line that many people have missed for several months. The airline began flying again on May 1, 2025, after stopping flights for four months due to serious safety fears. The pause started in late December 2024, because a passenger plane from Azerbaijan was shot down during a drone attack near Aktau, Kazakhstan. That crash killed 38 people and made airlines think harder about flying over parts of the region.

Fragments of a Russian Pantsir missile were found in the crashed airplane’s wreckage. This made the event even more troubling for anyone flying in Russian airspace. Airlines all over the world paid close attention, and many reconsidered their regular routes for fear of running into danger.

Let’s look closely at why El Al Israel Airlines stopped and then restarted its flights, what it means for people on both sides, and how global politics has shaped their choices.

Safety First: Why El Al Airlines Stopped Flying to Moscow

When the Azerbaijani plane was shot down, it made worldwide news. A missile, reportedly a Pantsir missile made in Russia 🇷🇺, was said to be the cause. Because of this, El Al Israel Airlines decided right away to stop its route to Moscow 🇷🇺. This was not just an ordinary airline decision—it was about keeping everyone on board as safe as possible.

The crash showed that the skies above this part of the world could be risky, not only because of military actions but also because of tensions between countries. Many airlines reacted to the news by either stopping flights or asking pilots to avoid Russian airspace.

For El Al Israel Airlines, the safety of passengers and crew came first. The airline worked closely with both Israeli and Russian officials. They carried out what’s described as a “comprehensive reassessment” of all the risks. Before any plane took off again, they talked at length with regulatory and security teams trying to answer tough questions: Is it safe to fly this route? What has changed since the accident? Will passengers be protected?

What Came Next: The Gradual Return

After four months of careful study and ongoing talks with experts, El Al Israel Airlines found enough reasons to restart flights. On May 1, 2025, planes once again left Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport and landed in Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport (DME). They are using Boeing 737-900 aircraft for these flights.

The airline set a schedule of seven weekly flights—there’s one departure each day from Monday to Wednesday, and on Sundays and Thursdays, there are two flights per day. This plan helps meet the need for travel, while still giving the airline some room to respond quickly if something changes.

This wasn’t a choice made alone. Many government teams in both the United States 🇺🇸 and Israel 🇮🇱, as well as in Russia 🇷🇺, gave advice or had a say. The governments checked airport safety, flight paths, and security concerns along every part of the route.

Understanding the Wider Picture: Geopolitics and Airspace Limits

To understand why this move is important, it helps to know what’s happening with global politics.

Since Russia 🇷🇺 invaded Ukraine 🇺🇦 in early 2022, relationships between Russia and many Western countries have been tense. Right after the war started, Western nations, including the United States 🇺🇸, European Union countries, and others, blocked Russian airlines from their skies as part of sanctions. In response, Russia did the same—it closed its airspace to airlines from 36 countries, which meant that air travel became much more complicated.

Israel 🇮🇱 made a careful choice. The country publicly said it was against Russia’s actions in Ukraine, sent help to the people of Ukraine, but did not take part in strong economic or air travel bans against Russia 🇷🇺. This meant that El Al Israel Airlines was one of the only big airlines from outside Russia still allowed to fly there.

Other large airlines, like those from the European Union, the United States 🇺🇸, and even Aeroflot, Russia’s main airline, had to cancel or limit routes. Only a few non-Russian carriers, such as Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Air Serbia, have been able to keep or bring back limited flights to Moscow 🇷🇺.

Cultural and Family Ties Keep Demand Strong

What keeps people flying on this route, despite everything? The answer comes down to strong social bonds.

In Israel 🇮🇱, about 1.3 million people—between 13% and 15% of the entire country—speak Russian. Many of them once lived in Russia 🇷🇺 or other nearby countries. Many Israeli citizens still have family members living in Russia, or even have dual citizenship. This web of family and language ties is at the center of why El Al Israel Airlines returned to Moscow 🇷🇺, even while others have pulled away.

For these travelers, direct flights are more than a matter of convenience. They are a lifeline. They make it possible for families to visit, for elderly parents in Russia to see their children or grandchildren, for people to handle personal matters such as health, funerals, weddings, or simply staying connected.

VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that leaders at El Al Israel Airlines counted on this ongoing demand. They knew that, even with concerns in the region, having a direct link between Tel Aviv and Moscow would respond to the needs of these communities—especially when almost all other Western airlines have disappeared from Russian skies.

Other Airlines on the Route: Limited Options

While Aeroflot—the largest Russian airline—had to stop most trips overseas due to sanctions, other Russian airlines did keep a low level of travel. Red Wings and Azimuth, both based in Russia, continued some flights between Moscow 🇷🇺 and Tel Aviv during this period, though with fewer seats and less frequent schedules.

Still, for people seeking options other than flying with Russian airlines, El Al Israel Airlines now stands as one of the few remaining bridges.

Summary Table: The Facts at a Glance

Sometimes, it helps to see the main details in one place. Here’s a quick table that sums up the facts about these flights returning:

How This Affects Travelers, Airlines, and Governments

For travelers, especially Russian-speaking Israelis or those with family in Russia 🇷🇺, the news means fewer headaches. They no longer have to take roundabout routes, switch airlines, or face long waiting times in foreign airports—routes which could take many more hours and cost much more.

For El Al Israel Airlines, this reopening is both a business chance and a signaling of responsibility. The airline can hold onto passengers who may look for other options if direct flights stay unavailable, and it shows it is responding to real-life safety matters.

Governments in Israel 🇮🇱 and Russia 🇷🇺 both have stakes in these routes, too. For Israel, keeping airlines flying to Russia allows it to serve its citizens. For Russia, having any international airline from a Western-friendly country flying in helps show the world it is not entirely isolated.

On the downside, some may argue that by flying to Russia, airlines could be seen as breaking the spirit of Western efforts aimed at changing Russia’s behavior through isolation. This is part of a larger debate about whether such actions weaken the impact of global sanctions.

Ongoing Safety Concerns: What’s Changed?

No one has forgotten the downing of the Azerbaijani jet, nor are the threats completely gone. But several new practices are in place. Both Israeli and Russian authorities have increased the monitoring of flights, air traffic, and possible threats. Security reviews are frequent, and steps are taken quickly when dangers are spotted.

El Al Israel Airlines has made clear to passengers, governments, and partners that flights will be watched closely. Changes to the schedule could be made at any time if the safety situation changes. Passengers may also notice new safety measures both at airports and on board.

For travelers worried about documents, traveling between Israel 🇮🇱 and Russia 🇷🇺 still requires proper visas and passports. For official information on entry requirements and visas, passengers can visit the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs page for more details.

Political Sides: Balancing Safety, Policy, and People

The return of El Al Israel Airlines’ flights highlights a complicated balance. While the airline and the governments take safety very seriously, there is also an ongoing need to keep families connected, allow business to go on, and provide some hope for people on both sides.

Some Western countries may wonder if flights by non-Russian carriers give the Russian government a way to look less cut off from the world. Others argue that it is important to find practical ways to help regular people, even as governments work out disagreements at higher levels.

For Israeli authorities, this is especially sensitive. Israel has walked a careful line—giving humanitarian support to Ukraine, but stopping short of the heaviest sanctions against Moscow 🇷🇺. This separate approach has sometimes drawn criticism, but it has also allowed easier travel for its citizens who have deep roots in both countries.

The Lessons of the Pantsir Missile Incident

The shooting down of the Azerbaijani airplane was a tragic moment, and finding a piece of a Pantsir missile in the wreckage was an important clue. The Pantsir system, made in Russia, is mainly designed to shoot down incoming threats. In this case, it was linked to a deadly mistake—or perhaps a miscalculation during military action.

This disaster was a wake-up call for everyone, from governments to regular people taking flights. It showed clearly how quickly things can change and how global events far from big cities can affect anyone booking a ticket.

Looking Forward: What Does the Future Hold?

No one knows exactly what lies ahead for airlines flying routes that pass over tense regions. The El Al Israel Airlines experience shows that, even in difficult circumstances, airlines, governments, and individual travelers will keep working to find solutions that balance safety and the needs of people.

If the region becomes more peaceful, there may be more routes opened up in the future. But if trouble worsens, even these new efforts could be paused and travel may go back to being unpredictable.

For now, El Al Israel Airlines’ resumption of its Moscow 🇷🇺 route is a carefully reasoned move—not a sign that things are back to normal, but a step toward helping people connect safely in a world filled with uncertainty.

Key Takeaways

• El Al Israel Airlines resumed flights to Moscow 🇷🇺 on May 1, 2025, after suspending service for safety reasons following a missile incident.
• The flights operate seven times per week, using Boeing 737-900 aircraft, and focus on direct routes between Tel Aviv and Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport.
• The reinstatement reflects close cooperation with Israeli and Russian officials, a detailed look at ongoing risks, and strong demand from Israel’s large Russian-speaking population.
• The crash involving a Pantsir missile highlighted the risks but also led to new safety procedures, showing the airline’s seriousness about keeping people safe.
• As reported by VisaVerge.com, this resumption stands out as one of the few direct air links left between a Western-aligned country and Russia 🇷🇺, in a time when most airlines have pulled away due to political tension and safety worries.

If you’re planning travel or watching these changes as a student, businessperson, or family visitor, it’s good to check regularly for new updates on airline schedules, safety warnings, and visa rules. The story of El Al Israel Airlines’ flights to Moscow is a good reminder that, in our connected world, every decision counts—and being prepared makes all the difference for safe, smooth journeys.

Learn Today

Pantsir missile → A Russian-made surface-to-air missile system, involved in the December 2024 Azerbaijani plane downing near Kazakhstan.
Sanctions → Penalties imposed by countries to restrict economic or political activities, typically used against nations involved in conflicts.
Airspace → The portion of the atmosphere controlled by a country, where flight operations and security regulations are enforced.
Domodedovo Airport (DME) → Moscow’s major international airport, serving as the main hub for resumed El Al Israel Airlines flights.
Geopolitical context → The influence of international politics, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, that affects regulations and air travel safety internationally.

This Article in a Nutshell

El Al Israel Airlines restarted its direct Tel Aviv-Moscow flights on May 1, 2025, after a safety-driven suspension. The airline’s cautious approach, following a missile incident, shows dedication to passenger security. Travelers can now benefit from direct connections, strong family ties, and new safety measures bridging Israel and Russia, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
— By VisaVerge.com

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