The recent announcements that Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are officially returning to Israeli skies this September aren’t just fantastic news all-around: I’m declaring it Victory Day.
After witnessing the horrors of October 7 and the ensuing and still ongoing wars against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, it’s hard to claim a victory in the Middle East.
But when judging an era’s normality, one has to judge according to that time period. As such, the conflicts will continue, and there will unfortunately be more flare-ups and escalations.
But when the heavens open up, and the giants of the aviation world return, there will be a sense of rebirth.
When tourists fill the streets of ancient and new cities alike, there will be a feeling that the curse is over.
When residents can fly abroad with ease, sharing a mundane conversation with a visitor heading home, there is an epiphany of shared humanity.
And that shared humanity has been desperately missing not only from Ben-Gurion Airport, but from the country as a whole. It may seem like the airport has been busy and the city centers have been packed, but, alas, it’s only us Israelis getting used to the reality of the past three years.
By flying, airline global gatekeeper declares skies all clear
Which is why the return of Delta and United is crucial, much more so than the return of the European carriers: For when the American giants “put their stamps” on our skies, it means the global gatekeepers have officially declared the crisis contained.
The US airlines should first and foremost reopen the floodgates to Israel for Diaspora families and Christian pilgrims traveling for the Tishrei holidays.
But they aren’t just bringing much-needed foreign currency; they are bringing a message of solidarity. Every packed flight represents a bridge rebuilt, signaling to the world that Israel is safe, vibrant, and ready to welcome the world back.
Let this be the beginning of the beginning.
For the hard-working Israeli, this message of solidarity also translates to financial relief. With thousands of new seats being injected into the market right before the holidays, the local monopoly is on its way out, and a new-old sense of normality is making its way back in.
But even if these scenarios play out that way, is this enough to declare Victory Day?
For skeptics like myself, my hesitation is still outweighing my optimism. Not only because of the never-ending regional conflict we find ourselves in, but also because we have to take a leap of faith in foreign carriers.
I was one of the many stranded in Europe during the first round of the Iran war in 2025. And earlier this year, I narrowly escaped being stuck abroad a second time. Using local Israeli airlines is our psychological safety net because we know they will fly through almost anything to get us home.
So why should United’s and Delta’s announcements change anything? To add to Solomon’s grounded words of wisdom: There’s a time for war and a time for peace; a time for cancellations and a time for flight renewals.
We have done this before. Since October 7, Delta, United, and dozens of other carriers have been playing musical runways – announcing their return only to cancel shortly after they don’t like the way a news headline looks.
Why this time is different
Why, then, should this September be crowned Victory Day when we know a single drone or a harsh news item could send them fleeing back across the Atlantic by October?
How will we know if this aviation Victory Day is truly the beginning of a lasting normality, or just another false start?
Industry experts will tell us if the renewed flights were a success story based on their own risk-assessment protocols, insurance premiums, and logistical mileposts; individuals such as myself may need some more time before venturing off to see the prices that foreign carriers are offering.
To this I say, what an embarrassment of riches to have. It may be that I never feel comfortable again flying with a foreign carrier, or, to be a half-glass-full person, I’d rather fly with the secure state of mind that the Israeli airlines offer me.
But whether you find yourself in the same situation as I am or if you can’t wait to fly via Delta or United, the return of these American aviation giants is an undeniable triumph for the average citizen. It puts the stamp on an Israeli victory.
It proves that our skies are resilient, our economy is vital, and our connection to the world at large is on the mend.
To return to the Book of Ecclesiastes, this is the way of life. And now it’s our time to laugh, it’s our time to dance, it’s our time for peace.
How long will that last? Who knows. But let’s enjoy it while we can.
This September, as those massive jets touch down once again at Ben-Gurion Airport, it won’t just be an arrival of passengers. It will be the arrival of our global connection, allowing Israelis to finally look upward with renewed freedom, relief, and hope. To feel that, even for a moment, to me is Victory Day.
The writer is the editor of The Jerusalem Post’s Travel Page.