Ben Gurion Airport Rolls Out Winter Flight Schedules and Route Expansions
Ben Gurion Airport transitions to its IATA winter schedule with increased stability, featuring frequency adjustments by Wizz Air and Lufthansa Group, expanded US routes by United and Delta, and upcoming returns by Air Canada and Air India.
With the official opening of the IATA winter season and the onset of November, Ben Gurion Airport is undergoing a comprehensive winter transition. Following a period of uncertainty and frequent schedule changes, relative stability and steady demand are strengthening international airlines' confidence in Israel.
While seasonal summer routes enter their traditional hiatus, the flight schedule is reinforced by significant updates, schedule adjustments, and expanded networks, which in some cases bring lower ticket prices for travelers.
Wizz Air Adjusts Frequencies and Boosts London Operations
Following an exceptionally busy summer, low-cost giant Wizz Air is transitioning to its winter schedule, which includes frequency reductions on several European routes alongside a major boost to its British operations.
Frequencies are decreasing on destinations including Rome, Budapest, Larnaca, Sofia, Krakow, Bratislava, Catania, and Naples, while Cluj-Napoca and Iasi are entering a winter hiatus. Conversely, Wizz Air UK is marking a record high in Israel, as the London Luton route surges from a daily flight to 12 weekly flights, and the London Gatwick route increases from 5 to 6 weekly frequencies.
Lufthansa Group Updates Fleet and Schedules
Major European aviation holding Lufthansa Group is rolling out significant updates across its carriers. ITA Airways is expanding its operations, climbing from 2 to 3 daily flights to Rome. Brussels Airlines is doubling its presence at Ben Gurion Airport, increasing frequencies from 3 to 6 weekly flights to Brussels.
Meanwhile, Austrian Airlines is reducing Vienna flights to twice daily. SWISS is transitioning to an all-narrow-body fleet for the winter season, deploying Airbus A321 aircraft on its Zurich route instead of wide-body A330s and smaller A220s. Eurowings and Lufthansa continue their operations without frequency changes.
US Carriers Expand: United Increases Flights, Delta Shifts to Night Schedule
United Airlines is ramping up its Newark service from 2 daily flights to 17 weekly flights, adding three night flights operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Furthermore, the Chicago and Washington D.C. routes are resuming with 4 and 3 weekly flights respectively.
Delta Air Lines has implemented a major schedule change for its New York JFK route, shifting operations to a night flight. This adjustment enables an early morning arrival in New York and convenient connections for onward flights.
Additional Schedule Updates and Global Returns
KLM has updated its Amsterdam service, introducing a stopover in Bucharest for both outbound and inbound legs, alongside a late-night departure time from Ben Gurion Airport around 01:00. Transavia has increased its Marseille frequency from one to three weekly flights throughout the winter.
In addition, international giants have announced their official return dates. Air Canada is scheduled to resume its Toronto route starting November 30, while Air India plans to restart direct flights to New Delhi beginning December 1.
