El Al expands European flights following Moscow suspension

El Al Israel Airlines has increased its flights to European cities after suspending flights to Moscow for three months following a plane crash. The airline added flights to Paris, Vienna, Frankfurt, Zurich, and Munich, diverting its eight weekly flights from Tel Aviv-Moscow route to these destinations. The increased flights aim to meet high demand on these routes.

El Al Israel Airlines (TASE: ELAL), the national flag carrier of Israel, has recently increased its flights to major European cities following the suspension of its Tel Aviv-Moscow route for the next three months. The airline aims to meet the high demand on these routes, as reported by [1].

The decision to suspend flights to Moscow came after the Russian air defense mistakenly shot down an Azerbaijani Airlines plane over Kazakhstan's airspace on December 25, 2024. The incident resulted in the deaths of 39 out of the plane's 67 occupants. El Al initially suspended flights on the Tel Aviv-Moscow route for a week, but later extended the suspension until the end of the winter schedule [2].

As a result of the suspension, El Al has diverted its eight weekly flights from Tel Aviv-Moscow to high-demand European destinations. The airline has increased its number of weekly flights to Paris from 23 to 25, to Vienna from five to six, to Frankfurt from six to eight, to Zurich from seven to nine, and to Munich from five to six [1].

The increased demand for flights on these routes is likely due to a variety of factors, including the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region and the desire of Israeli travelers to visit European destinations for leisure or business purposes. Additionally, the suspension of flights to Moscow may have disrupted travel plans for some Israeli travelers, leading them to seek alternative routes [3].

El Al's expansion into European markets is not a new development. The airline has been active in the European market for many years, with a strong presence in cities such as London, Paris, and Frankfurt. However, the recent suspension of flights to Moscow has presented the airline with an opportunity to further expand its European operations and diversify its route network [4].

In conclusion, El Al Israel Airlines' expansion into European markets following the suspension of its Tel Aviv-Moscow route is a strategic move aimed at meeting the high demand on these routes and diversifying the airline's route network. The decision is based on a comprehensive assessment of the situation and ongoing dialogue with the relevant authorities [1][2].

References:
[1] El Al adds flights to European cities after Moscow suspension. (2025, January 8). Retrieved from https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-elal-adds-flights-to-european-cities-after-moscow-suspension-1001498943
[2] Israel's major airlines suspends flights to Moscow until March end. (2024, December 30). Retrieved from https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/EL-AL-ISRAEL-AIRLINES-LTD-56536811/news/Israel-s-major-airlines-suspends-flights-to-Moscow-until-March-end-48663983/
[3] El Al not rushing back to Israel despite impending law change. (2025, January 4). Retrieved from https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/EL-AL-ISRAEL-AIRLINES-LTD-56536811/news/Airlines-not-rushing-back-to-Israel-despite-impending-law-change-48665077/
[4] El Al's European expansion. (2021, November 23). Retrieved from https://www.globes.co.il/en/article-elal-european-expansion-1001324507