Riga and Tel Aviv Unlock Wider Europe Travel as airBaltic and El Al Launch New Codeshare Ahead of Route Relaunch: What Should Travellers Know?

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Riga and Tel Aviv are entering a new phase of aviation connectivity as Latvia’s airBaltic and El Al Israel Airlines launch a comprehensive codeshare partnership designed to expand travel options between the Baltic region, Israel and major European cities. The agreement coincides with airBaltic’s planned resumption of nonstop flights between Riga and Tel Aviv on 1 July 2026, creating smoother journeys for travellers through coordinated bookings and expanded one-stop connections across both airlines’ networks.

The partnership significantly broadens destination choices for passengers travelling between Northern Europe, Central Europe and the Middle East. By placing their airline codes on each other’s flights, airBaltic and El Al will allow customers to book seamless itineraries across a growing network of destinations while improving connectivity through Riga and Tel Aviv.

airBaltic and El Al Strengthen Their Partnership

The newly signed codeshare agreement represents an important expansion of cooperation between the Latvian and Israeli carriers.

Codeshare partnerships allow airlines to market seats on each other’s flights while enabling passengers to travel on a single itinerary across multiple destinations. This simplifies booking, baggage transfers and overall journey planning while expanding network reach without launching entirely new routes.

For both airlines, the agreement enhances connectivity between Europe and the Middle East while providing travellers with more flexible routing options.

The partnership also supports stronger tourism, business and cultural exchanges between Latvia, Israel and numerous European destinations.

Riga–Tel Aviv Flights Return in July

The codeshare agreement arrives alongside airBaltic’s planned return to the Riga-Tel Aviv route.

Beginning 1 July 2026, the airline will restart nonstop services between the Latvian capital and Israel’s largest international gateway. Flights will operate three times each week, restoring direct connectivity that benefits tourists, business travellers and passengers visiting friends and relatives.

The resumed route also provides the foundation for the new codeshare arrangement, allowing El Al to place its LY airline code on airBaltic-operated services between Riga and Tel Aviv.

The relaunch strengthens direct travel between the Baltic region and Israel while expanding onward connection opportunities.

Expanded European Network Through Riga

Under the agreement, El Al customers travelling through Riga will gain access to a wide range of European destinations operated by airBaltic.

Passengers arriving from Tel Aviv can continue their journeys to Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Munich, Oslo, Stockholm, Tallinn, Vienna, Vilnius and Zurich, all booked under El Al’s flight code.

The expanded network significantly improves access to Northern and Central Europe while reinforcing Riga’s role as an important regional aviation hub.

For travellers, the additional destinations create greater flexibility when planning business trips, holidays and multi-city European itineraries.

airBaltic Customers Gain Access Through Tel Aviv

The partnership also expands travel opportunities for airBaltic passengers.

The Latvian carrier will place its BT code on El Al-operated flights departing Tel Aviv to Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan, Munich, Vienna and Zurich.

This arrangement creates additional one-stop travel options between Latvia and several important European cities through Israel’s main international gateway.

The expanded network benefits passengers seeking more convenient routing while increasing destination choices without requiring separate airline bookings.

Tourism Benefits Across Europe and the Middle East

The codeshare strengthens tourism flows between multiple regions.

Israeli visitors gain easier access to Latvia and neighbouring Baltic countries, while European travellers benefit from improved connectivity to Tel Aviv and onward destinations through Israel.

Riga continues attracting visitors with its UNESCO-listed Old Town, Art Nouveau architecture and growing cultural scene, while Tel Aviv remains one of the Middle East’s leading tourism destinations, known for its Mediterranean coastline, nightlife, culinary experiences and historical attractions.

Improved air connectivity supports hotels, restaurants, transport providers and tourism businesses across both regions.

Business Travel Receives Greater Flexibility

The partnership also enhances corporate travel.

Business passengers frequently require flexible itineraries and convenient connections when travelling between European commercial centres and Israel’s technology and innovation sector.

The expanded codeshare network provides additional routing options while improving access to key financial, industrial and commercial destinations served by both airlines.

Simplified bookings and coordinated schedules further strengthen travel efficiency for corporate customers.

Codeshare Agreements Continue Shaping Aviation

Airlines increasingly rely on partnerships to expand their global reach.

Rather than launching entirely new routes, carriers can extend their networks through codeshare agreements that provide customers with broader destination choices while improving aircraft utilisation.

For passengers, these partnerships often mean easier ticketing, coordinated baggage handling and more convenient flight connections.

The agreement between airBaltic and El Al reflects this wider industry trend toward strategic cooperation.

What Travellers Should Know

Passengers booking itineraries under the new agreement can expect smoother travel between Europe and Israel.

The codeshare allows travellers to purchase a single ticket covering multiple flights while benefiting from coordinated schedules and simplified transfers.

The partnership becomes particularly valuable following the resumption of airBaltic’s Riga-Tel Aviv service, creating new travel opportunities across Northern Europe, Central Europe and the Middle East.

Key Statistics

• Airlines: airBaltic and El Al Israel Airlines.
• New agreement: Codeshare partnership.
• Riga-Tel Aviv flights resume: 1 July 2026.
• Frequency: Three weekly flights.
• El Al adds its LY code to Riga-Tel Aviv and 10 additional airBaltic European routes.
• airBaltic adds its BT code to seven El Al-operated European services via Tel Aviv.

Chronological Tracker

• 2026: airBaltic and El Al sign codeshare agreement.
• 1 July 2026: airBaltic resumes Riga-Tel Aviv flights.
• July 2026 onwards: Three weekly Riga-Tel Aviv services operate under the new partnership.
• Ongoing: Expanded one-stop connections become available across Europe and Israel.

FAQ

When will airBaltic restart flights between Riga and Tel Aviv?
The airline resumes the route on 1 July 2026 with three weekly flights.

What is included in the codeshare agreement?
El Al will place its code on airBaltic flights between Riga and Tel Aviv and selected European destinations, while airBaltic will add its code to El Al services from Tel Aviv to seven European cities.

How does the partnership benefit travellers?
Passengers gain more one-stop travel options, easier booking, coordinated connections and expanded access to destinations across Europe and Israel.

Key Dates

• 1 July 2026: airBaltic resumes Riga-Tel Aviv flights.
• July 2026: Codeshare partnership begins supporting expanded connections.

Conclusion

The new codeshare partnership between airBaltic and El Al Israel Airlines significantly expands travel opportunities between the Baltic region, Israel and major European cities. Combined with the resumption of three weekly Riga-Tel Aviv flights from 1 July 2026, the agreement enhances connectivity, simplifies international travel and strengthens tourism and business links across Europe and the Middle East. By combining their networks, both airlines are creating broader travel choices while reinforcing Riga and Tel Aviv as increasingly important gateways within the region’s evolving aviation landscape.