Travellers rejoice: New flight to connect Hungary with the Middle East

New flights are set to link Debrecen, Hungary’s second-largest city, with Tel Aviv, the bustling coastal hub of Israel. The Israeli budget airline Israir will operate the twice-weekly service, offering passengers direct access between the two destinations.

New flight to connect Hungary with Israel

According to Airportal, the first Israir flight connecting Debrecen and Tel Aviv is scheduled to depart on 24 April. Flights will operate on Mondays and Thursdays, with fares starting at $400, a premium compared to similar routes.

Planned flight schedules:

• TLV-DEB 21:30-23:55
• DEB-TLV 00:55-04:50
• TLV-DEB 20:30-22:55
• DEB-TLV 23:55-03:50

The route was previously operated by Hungary-based Wizz Air, which suspended services following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Compounding the disruption, Wizz Air announced the closure of its Debrecen base this winter, leaving the city with a single flight connection—to London Luton Airport.

Following Wizz Air’s departure, Debrecen Airport’s operator expressed its commitment to restoring high-demand routes. In a statement, they specifically highlighted Tel Aviv as a priority, promising to resume the connection by summer 2025.

European airlines renew Israeli routes

Israir is expanding its operations, adding flights from Tel Aviv to Vilnius, Lithuania (starting 24 April), and Basel, Switzerland (from 10 June). The Basel route will run weekly.

Meanwhile, European carriers are re-establishing links with Israel. The Lufthansa Group and Ryanair have joined the resurgence, alongside Wizz Air, which resumed Tel Aviv-Budapest services on 15 January. From the end of this month, new flights between the Hungarian and Israeli capitals will operate daily.

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