Israel travel reopens on shaky ground: airlines return, threats multiply

British Airways resumes daily London–Tel Aviv service on Oct 25, with one daily A321neo, about half its prewar frequency. Iberia's Madrid route restarts the same day. That restores significant European connecting capacity for clients whose itineraries were suspended.

Other carriers are slower. American remains suspended until March 2027, Air India returns in December, and flydubai is still cancelled. Advisors should confirm existing bookings and consider the new options for post-Sukkot and winter travel. Frequencies are limited, so book early and keep alternatives in mind.

Austrian Airlines flight OS82 from Tel Aviv was diverted to Sofia over a bomb threat. It follows two threats against Delta Flight 234 earlier in the week, and the Sept 30 flydubai cockpit attack. Netanyahu has ordered a review of foreign-crew procedures, and an Ethiopian flight was already barred from Israeli airspace.

For advisors, the practical advice is to warn clients to expect delays, diversions and tighter screening. Recommend flexible fares and travel insurance on Israel routes, and build buffer time around connections and events.

Israeli experts warn that renewed war with Iran is a matter of time. A third US carrier is heading to the region, and Trump endorsed Netanyahu ahead of the Oct 27 Israeli election, citing the Iranian threat. Trump has said he won't strike before the Nov 3 midterms, but risk looks elevated around the election.

Airlines only just returned to Ben Gurion, and the last Iran war suspended most foreign carriers from late February. Advisors with Israel bookings in the coming weeks should have flexible fares, cancellation terms and alternate routing ready.

Riots across France have drawn about 800,000 protesters and hit some 2,000 shops, with Metro disruptions. A Paris synagogue was broken into and ransacked, and Jewish-owned shops were damaged in Marseille. The SPCJ says Jewish targets were not deliberately singled out. Israeli visitors were caught in tear gas and some cut trips short.

Advisors with clients in Paris, Marseille or Montpellier, including kosher tour groups and family trips, should monitor developments and have contingency plans ready.

Chickies now runs the Kof-K kosher stand on the 6th floor at Madison Square Garden, serving Knicks and Rangers games. The Knicks' champions banner night is Oct 20. Of 17 items, 13 are priced at $25 or more, worth flagging for client budgets.

Barclays Center also has a Smash House kosher stand. Both are useful for NYC sports and event packages.

Smash House, a ten-location glatt kosher chain, is planning a Pikesville, MD outlet near Seven Mile Market for early December. Plans are unconfirmed and the menu is dairy-free. The Star-K Club Deli in the same plaza closed in August.

Separately, Brooklyn's Noribar is opening a kosher sushi restaurant in Lakewood, NJ, its first outside NYC. Both add dining options for visitors to Baltimore and Lakewood.