After 70 Years: German Airline Returns to Israel
Condor airline has completed its inaugural flight from Frankfurt to Tel Aviv. The German carrier is returning to Israel after 70 years, with a new daily route now in operation.
The airline Condor, represented by the Tal Aviation group, completed its inaugural flight from Frankfurt to Tel Aviv within the last 24 hours. This marks the German company's effective return to Israel after 70 years, with the new route operating on a daily basis.
Condor, one of Germany's most renowned airlines, has been operating since 1956. In recent years, the company completed a rebranding process, introducing a unique design for its aircraft featuring colorful stripes in shades of yellow, blue, red, green, and beige. These zebra stripes have become one of the brand's most recognizable symbols.
Notably, the very first flight in the company's history, back in March 1956, was a pilgrimage flight from Frankfurt to Israel. Last February, the company announced its return, and after slight delays, the service officially commenced yesterday.
Under the new schedule, flights will depart from Frankfurt in the afternoon and return from Tel Aviv the following morning. According to the company, this route supports the expansion of its international network and addresses the growing demand for travel between Israel, Germany, and other global Condor destinations.
Condor arrives at Ben Gurion Airport during a challenging period. The international airport is at the peak of summer congestion, handling over 90,000 passengers per day. The average departure delay over the last seven days reached 65 minutes, the highest this year. Reports of additional American tankers en route may further increase airport congestion.
Each year, approximately 10 million passengers fly with Condor to over 70 destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. The company employs over 5,000 people and operates a fleet of about 60 aircraft.
"With the launch of the new route between Frankfurt and Tel Aviv, we are expanding our route network with an attractive destination in a region of strategic importance for Condor," said CEO Peter Gerber. "Our passengers will benefit not only from a direct and convenient flight from Frankfurt, but also from seamless connections for travelers arriving from all over the world. We look forward to welcoming many more passengers, together with our partners, in the future."
