Ben-Gurion Airport

Greek carrier Blue Bird, set to resume flights on Sunday, will be the first foreign carrier to return to Israel since the skies largely closed following the start of Operation Roaring Lion.

"Two crises in five years, each of which lasted two years plus, with a small break in the middle. That's extreme and had a dramatic impact on the aviation sector."

Arkia Israeli Airlines says it aims to resume its full flight schedule by May 3, but cautions that the current framework remains "influenced by the security situation."

Lapid had previously expressed his full backing for Netanyahu at the beginning of the war, but wrote earlier in the day in a statement that he could no longer hold this stance.

El AL's decision follows a government announcement easing flight restrictions, with additional departures now available under the emergency flight schedule currently in place.

This represents an increase in the 80-passenger limit per flight, while the ministry will also allow two flights to depart per hour.

The request was made in a formal letter to the head of the Home Front Command, as recent wartime rules have sharply limited departures from Ben-Gurion Airport.

War-driven chaos leaves some stranded, others rerouted through Egypt and Jordan, and many with ties to Israel forced to celebrate apart from their families.

Channel 13 reported that Israel issued a NOTAM indicating Ben-Gurion Airport flights may remain restricted until at least April 16 amid ongoing attacks from Iran and Hezbollah.

Recording just before Operation Roaring Lion began, Dr. Nicole Adler, a professor at Hebrew University, to discuss the future of Israel’s airports.