British Airways and Iberia Resume Tel Aviv Flights from Oct 26, 2025

(TEL AVIV, ISRAEL) British Airways and Iberia will resume daily Tel Aviv flights on Sunday, October 26, 2025, restoring key air links between Israel, the United Kingdom, and Spain after a months-long suspension tied to the June 2025 war between Israel and Iran and subsequent regional unrest.

The move follows a recent ceasefire with Hamas and broader signs of stabilization, allowing carriers to cautiously rebuild schedules and travelers to plan with more confidence. Both airlines confirmed they will resume flights on the same date and at daily frequency, with British Airways operating London Heathrow–Tel Aviv, and Iberia and Iberia Express operating Madrid–Tel Aviv. Tickets are now on sale for travel dates starting October 26.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, carriers have been monitoring security, airspace coordination, and airport readiness before committing to schedules. This decision signals that conditions have improved enough for major European airlines to return.

Background: suspension and airport readiness

The restart ends a suspension period that began during heightened tensions in June, when many international airlines pulled back. Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport remained open during much of the period but saw reduced operations and fewer international arrivals.

Airport officials say the facility is fully operational and prepared for an uptick in traffic as more airlines resume flights and passengers rebook postponed trips.

What’s returning and when

• Start date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
• Frequency: Daily flights by British Airways and Iberia/Iberia Express
• Routes: London Heathrow–Tel Aviv (British Airways); Madrid–Tel Aviv (Iberia/Iberia Express)
• Booking: Seats are available on the carriers’ official websites, with inventory live for dates from October 26 onward

Fares for late October departures vary by date and demand. Sample starting prices include about £263 on British Airways and around $892 on Iberia, though these figures can change quickly as travelers lock in fall plans.

Standard baggage policies and onboard services are expected to mirror pre-suspension offerings. Airlines will publish any schedule adjustments directly to booked passengers.

Impact on travelers — visas, schedules, and planning

While this is aviation news, the return of these routes carries real impact for people with time-sensitive travel tied to study, work, family, or medical needs. For travelers who need visas to enter Israel or to transit through the United Kingdom or Spain, the practical effect of these resumed services is more flight choice and, often, more reliable itineraries.

Daily schedules reduce the risk of long gaps after a cancellation, which can matter to those facing entry deadlines or appointment windows.

• Students with fall or winter term start dates in Israel can now build travel plans that sync with university calendars.
• Workers on assignment or business travelers can again expect overnight or near-overnight connections via London or Madrid, depending on origin.
• Families split across Israel, the UK, and Spain gain more flexibility for reunions, weddings, and caregiving visits that were harder to arrange during the suspension.

Travelers should still check government guidance before departure. The United Kingdom’s official travel advice for Israel is updated frequently and covers safety conditions, airspace issues, and entry policies; see the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office guidance for current information. Airlines may also issue operational notices if conditions change.

Connections, transit visas, and immigration points

The broader market is shifting as well. Industry schedules show additional carriers—such as Eurowings, SAS, Etihad Airways, and Sky Express—planning to resume flights or increase service as the ceasefire holds. This trend usually improves connection options, which can lower fares over time and make complex trips smoother, especially for travelers combining Tel Aviv flights with long-haul segments.

For passengers connecting in London or Madrid, immigration and transit rules remain in place as usual:

• Some travelers can transit airside without a visa; others may need specific permissions based on nationality, length of layover, or airline-ticketing setup.
• Review your booking for through-checked baggage and a single ticket number to help remain airside during transfers.
• If a transit visa is required, apply early through the relevant consulate or visa center and build in extra time for processing.

At Ben Gurion Airport — practical tips

Ben Gurion International Airport is operating at full capacity and absorbing more arrivals as airlines resume flights. Passengers should arrive early, check in online, and monitor flight status on the day of travel. Security procedures may take longer during peak hours, especially as schedules ramp up and carriers reassign aircraft and crews to Israel routes.

Practical checklist:
– Keep all travel documents in one folder: passport, visa (if required), return ticket, and proof of accommodation.
– If you have onward travel from Tel Aviv, leave generous layover time to account for security screening on departure.
– Watch for airlines’ schedule change emails; in a rebuilding period, minor timing shifts are common.

Why airlines feel comfortable resuming service

Airline decisions to resume flights usually reflect close coordination with airport authorities, insurers, and national regulators. Key considerations include:

• Aviation insurers assessing route risk and possibly setting conditions for coverage
• Carriers evaluating crew safety and operational resilience
• Airports demonstrating readiness to handle regular traffic

The shift back to daily British Airways and Iberia flights suggests those boxes are now checked to an acceptable level for October operations.

Passengers with tickets from the suspension period should contact the airline for options. Standard policies apply:
1. Rebooking onto new services
2. Accepting an alternative route
3. Requesting a refund, depending on fare rules and airline waivers at the time of cancellation

If you plan to move a previously canceled trip to the first week of resumed service, act quickly; early flights after a restart can fill fast as backlogged travelers rebook.

“For communities with close ties between Israel and Europe, this restart carries emotional weight.”
The absence of regular flights complicates daily life—missed family milestones, interrupted medical treatments, delayed studies. As British Airways and Iberia resume flights, families and professionals regain a degree of normalcy that matters far beyond the fare level or flight number.

Looking ahead: indicators and traveler advice

Industry analysts will watch load factors and on-time performance as key indicators of stability. Possible outcomes:
– Strong demand could encourage airlines to add capacity, perhaps restoring second daily frequencies or more varied departure times.
– Conversely, any deterioration in security conditions could lead to swift schedule changes.

Traveler recommendations:
– Book flexible fares when possible and keep plans adjustable.
– Bring printed confirmations and keep your mobile charged for digital tickets and alerts.
– Budget extra time at every stage, as entry policies and security checks remain firm.

VisaVerge.com reports travelers are asking whether resumed air links signal broader easing in travel logistics. The answer is mixed: air connectivity is improving, but entry policies and security checks remain firm. The October 26 restart marks a practical step forward: British Airways and Iberia bring back predictable daily links from two of Europe’s largest hubs—London Heathrow and Madrid—making it simpler to plan study terms, work trips, and family visits. With more carriers set to resume flights, travelers can expect a steadier map of options into and out of Tel Aviv as the region moves into late 2025.