El Al is expanding its flight schedule to get tens of thousands of passengers stranded during the Israel-Iran war back to their home countries, with the airline planning to recommence regular operations later this week.
Thousands of Israelis have been stranded abroad during the escalated two-week conflict, after vast swathes of airspace over the Middle East was shut down.
A ceasefire between the two countries came into effect on June 24, 2025.
The airline said that following Israel’s announcement to lift all restrictions on operations at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, including the removal of limitations on outbound flights, it is preparing to operate these flights with full seat availability. Israel's government had previously capped flights at 50 passengers.
The recent opening of Israeli airspace has enabled the airline to boost its flight schedule, with a particular focus on eight routes: Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Paris, London, Bangkok, New York, and Los Angeles. In addition to these routes, the airline also announced plans to further expand its schedule. This week flights will also commence to Budapest, Bucharest, Amsterdam, Prague, Madrid, Milan, Warsaw, and Sofia.
Earlier this week El Al said that approximately 25,000 request forms for outbound flights had been submitted on the airline’s website since registration opened on June 21, 2025.
Additionally, smaller Israeli carriers Arkia Airlines and Israir have also commenced repatriation flights to Israel.