As one of the leading carriers transporting over a million passengers annually between Turkey and Israel, Turkish Airlines (THY) is now at risk of losing its flight rights (slots) in Israel. The Gaza attacks that began two years ago and the subsequent political tensions have deeply impacted trade and the aviation sector between the two nations.
Gaza Attacks and Political Crisis Impact Aviation
The political tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv escalated following the Gaza attacks in 2023. Turkey halted its exports to Israel, with repercussions spreading to the aviation industry. THY, along with its subsidiary SunExpress and Pegasus Airlines, was among the first to suspend flights to Israel.
In 2019, THY carried one million of its 70 million passengers on Israel routes. However, by the summer of 2023, only 5 out of every 100 passengers flying from Israel opted for THY. Hopes for strengthening aviation ties were rekindled when Israel’s national carrier, El Al, resumed flights to Turkey after a 16-year hiatus. Yet, tensions flared again in October 2024, halting flights once more.
Risk of Losing Slots
In aviation, slots are critical time slots at specific airspaces and airports, representing significant value for airlines. While THY has ceased operations at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, it still retains its slots.
According to Israeli media, THY risks losing these slots if they remain unused by March 2025. Even if flights resume, capacity may be limited to only one-third of the 2023 levels.
The Strategic Importance of THY in Israel
Before the Gaza attacks, THY operated over ten daily flights between Tel Aviv and Istanbul, carrying more than a million passengers annually. With Pegasus and SunExpress, this number rose to 15 daily flights. Now, the future of THY’s flights to Israel remains uncertain, with Pegasus and SunExpress awaiting THY’s decision.
March 2025: A Critical Period
THY suspended its Israel flights on October 10, 2023, and extended the suspension until March 2025 due to ongoing attacks. With about 45 days left until this critical deadline, the question of whether THY can retain its slots looms large.
Israeli aviation sources emphasize the invaluable nature of slots, suggesting that THY will aim to protect them at all costs. However, the ongoing political tensions and the Gaza conflict complicate the airline’s decision.
The Future of Trade and Aviation Between Israel and Turkey
The normalization of political relations between Israel and Turkey is crucial for restoring trade and aviation ties. However, as the deadline approaches, the aviation industry closely watches whether THY can retain its slots and when flights will resume.
© AeroHaber.com
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