KLM’s Big Comeback: Daily Flights to Israel Resume Next Month

On August 26, 2025, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced the resumption of daily Amsterdam-Tel Aviv flights starting September 28, using Boeing 737-900 aircraft, marking a significant step in restoring European connectivity for Israeli travellers. The airline, which briefly resumed service in June before suspending flights due to Israel’s Operation Rising Lion targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, will include a technical stop in Larnaca, Cyprus, for crew changes due to ongoing safety and insurance concerns. Flights will depart Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport at 20:45, arriving at Ben Gurion Airport at 03:30, with return flights leaving Israel at 04:45 and landing in Amsterdam at 08:40. KLM stated, “We are pleased to announce the renewal of KLM flights to Israel starting September 28,” acknowledging the stopover as a necessary precaution.

The Amsterdam-Tel Aviv route, a vital link for Israeli tourists and business travellers, has faced limited capacity since KLM’s suspension, with only El Al, Israir, and Arkia offering direct flights, leading to high fares and nearly full planes. Schiphol, a key European hub alongside London, Frankfurt, Paris, and Zurich, connects to over 300 destinations, making KLM’s return critical for Israel’s global access.

The move follows a trend among European carriers, with Lufthansa Group resuming 44 weekly flights in August and Air France operating daily Boeing 777-300 service. British Airways, Ryanair, and easyJet remain suspended until October 25, while SAS plans to return after a decade-long absence. Israel’s aviation sector, handling 24 million passengers in 2024 per Israel Airports Authority data, relies heavily on such routes for economic and diplomatic ties. KLM’s return, despite operational adjustments, signals growing confidence in regional stability, though heightened security measures persist amid tensions following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and ongoing Gaza operations.