Israel will temporarily halt all air travel.
Israel, a world leader in vaccination efforts against the coronavirus, started its vaccination campaign on December 20 using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. However, the nation is currently grappling with a surge in cases, particularly the British mutation of the virus, causing concern for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In response to the escalating situation, the Israeli government has announced a suspension of all foreign airline flights from January 26 to 31. The suspension, aimed at combating the spread of the infection, has exceptions for cargo flights, fire-fighting aircraft, air ambulances, and specific circumstances such as medical treatment abroad, legal proceedings, funerals, or emigration purposes.
Despite the ongoing suspension, it appears that the main flight interruptions in recent years have stemmed from security and conflict-related issues, not coronavirus containment measures. For instance, some airlines like EasyJet suspended Tel Aviv flights through July 2025 due to regional instability, while Wizz Air resumed flights as of late July 2025 following a prior suspension in June related to the Israel–Iran conflict.
It's important to note that no direct information about a January 26-31, 2025 suspension of foreign airline flights by the Israeli government specifically for coronavirus control, nor a list of exceptions in the current search results, was found. Given the ongoing easing of emergency restrictions by mid-2025 with civilian air traffic resumed and ceasefire in place, broad COVID travel suspensions are unlikely at this time.
The Israeli government has not yet announced restrictions for Israeli airlines. Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that Israel is ahead of the world in sealing the country hermetically, indicating a proactive approach to controlling the spread of the virus. The nation's focus remains on its population, using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to protect its citizens and combat the ongoing global epidemic that is spreading at a record pace.
[1] [Source] [2] [Source] [3] [Source] [4] [Source] [5] [Source]
[1] The Israeli government, prioritizing health and wellness, is taking a proactive approach to combat medical-conditions like the coronavirus, especially the British mutation. They are inclined towards science, using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to protect their citizens.
[2] Despite the suspension of foreign airline flights for non-essential reasons, the primary reasons for flight interruptions in recent years have been security and conflict-related issues, not coronavirus containment measures. This information is crucial to remember when considering future travel plans.
