El Al Airlines, Israel's national carrier, is set to resume flights between Tel Aviv and Moscow starting May 1, 2025. The decision to restart operations follows a thorough review that confirmed Russia's airspace is now considered safe for flights. Pilotcenter.net News reports that El Al will join a select group of Western airlines authorized to fly to Moscow, such as Air Serbia, Etihad, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines.

The airline plans to operate seven weekly flights on the 1,622-mile route between Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion Airport and Moscow's Domodedovo Airport. El Al had temporarily ceased flights to the Russian capital at the end of 2024 due to safety concerns sparked by an incident involving Azerbaijan Airlines believed to be caused by Russian anti-aircraft fire.

El Al justified its decision to resume Moscow flights after a detailed evaluation and ongoing consultations with Russian authorities to ensure flight safety. A statement from the airline emphasized the move as part of its strategic goal to expand destination options for passengers.

Despite geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West, Israel aims to maintain neutrality in the conflict. While supporting the U.S. and providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Israel values its cultural connections with Russia. Notably, a significant portion of Israel's population speaks Russian, emphasizing the importance of maintaining close ties with Russia.

Russia had previously closed its airspace to airlines from multiple countries, prompting airlines like Aeroflot to suspend international flights. However, private Russian carrier Red Wings Airlines continued services between Moscow and Tel Aviv, underscoring the ongoing aviation links between the two countries.

In another significant announcement, the Israel Airport Authority revealed that El Al will also recommence domestic flights between Tel Aviv and Eilat on the same day as the Moscow flights. This move marks the resumption of a 12-year hiatus on the 169-mile route, which was halted earlier due to security concerns at Eilat Airport.

Overall, El Al's decision to resume flights to both Moscow and Eilat signifies its commitment to strengthening its route network and providing travelers with greater accessibility to key destinations.