airBaltic and EL AL Drive Massive Europe–Israel Aviation Expansion With New Codeshare Linking Riga, Tel Aviv, Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan and Major Scandinavian Cities

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The partnership between airBaltic and EL AL Israel Airlines marks a significant step in expanding Europe–Israel air connectivity through a new strategic codeshare arrangement designed to enhance seamless travel across key regional hubs. The agreement links Riga and Tel Aviv with major destinations including Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan and leading Scandinavian cities, strengthening one-stop connectivity between Northern Europe and the Middle East.

This expansion is being driven by rising passenger demand for efficient transfer options, increasing tourism flows, and deepening business and cultural relations between Israel, the Baltics and wider Europe. By integrating their networks, both carriers are improving route flexibility, simplifying transit through their respective hubs, and reducing the need for multiple separate bookings for long-haul itineraries.

At the operational level, the codeshare allows both airlines to place their flight codes on selected routes, enabling smoother multi-city travel and broader access to combined networks. The agreement reflects a growing industry trend where airlines prioritise partnerships to expand global reach without significantly increasing fleet deployment.

The move also strengthens Riga as a strategic Northern European gateway while enhancing EL AL’s footprint across key European markets, improving inbound and outbound traffic flows on both sides. It aligns with renewed stability in travel demand between Israel and Europe, supporting continued recovery in passenger volumes and reinforcing long-term network growth strategies for both carriers.

EL AL Expands Reach Through airBaltic Network Across Europe

From 1 July 2026, EL AL will place its “LY” code on airBaltic-operated flights between Riga and Tel Aviv. This will serve both point-to-point travellers and connecting passengers, offering improved flexibility on one of the airline’s key European gateways.

In addition, EL AL will extend its codeshare presence across multiple major European cities via Riga. These include Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Munich, Oslo, Stockholm, Tallinn, Vienna, Vilnius, and Zurich. All of these routes will be accessible to transit passengers connecting to or from Tel Aviv through Riga, creating a broader European network footprint without requiring EL AL to operate additional direct services on each route.

This expansion significantly strengthens EL AL’s access into Northern and Central Europe while enhancing its competitive positioning against other European carriers offering similar one-stop connectivity solutions.

airBaltic Strengthens Israel Connectivity via Major European Hubs

In return, airBaltic will place its “BT” code on EL AL-operated flights between Tel Aviv and key European cities, including Amsterdam, Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt, Milan, Berlin, and Zurich.

This arrangement allows passengers originating in the Baltics and Northern Europe to connect seamlessly via Riga to EL AL’s extensive network from Tel Aviv. It also opens up additional onward connectivity into the Middle East and beyond, improving routing efficiency for both leisure and business travellers.

For airBaltic, the partnership enhances its strategic positioning as a hybrid carrier offering both point-to-point and transit services. The airline has increasingly focused on expanding its role as a regional connector, particularly between the Baltics and major European aviation hubs.

Strengthening Riga as a Strategic Northern European Gateway

A key outcome of the agreement is the reinforcement of Riga as a central transfer hub linking Israel and Northern Europe. With both airlines integrating their networks, Riga is expected to see increased transit traffic as passengers use the city as a connecting point between Tel Aviv and destinations across Scandinavia, Central Europe, and the Baltic region.

airBaltic has steadily developed Riga into a high-efficiency hub serving more than 80 destinations across Europe and beyond. The addition of EL AL’s network integration adds further depth to its connectivity strategy, improving passenger flows and supporting tourism, trade, and business travel between the regions.

The partnership also reflects the growing importance of secondary hubs in Europe, where mid-sized airports are increasingly playing a larger role in distributing passenger traffic away from traditional megahubs.

Airline Leadership Highlights Strategic Value of Partnership

Mantas Vrubliauskas, VP Network Management at airBaltic: “Israel is an important market for the Baltics, supported by strong cultural connections, family ties, growing tourism flows, and expanding business relations between our regions. We are therefore pleased to partner with EL AL Israel Airlines and expand travel opportunities for passengers in both directions. This agreement will provide customers with more seamless connections while further strengthening Riga’s position as a key gateway between Israel, the Baltics, and Northern Europe.” 

Shlomi Zafrany, EL AL VP Commercial & Global Sales: “Our cooperation with airBaltic joins EL AL’s significant partnerships with leading airlines around the world, including Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, SAS and others. Alongside the announcement of 12 new destinations added to our network within a short period of time, we continue to expand the range of destinations available to our customers through additional partnerships with leading airlines.”

Resumption of Direct Riga–Tel Aviv Flights Adds Further Capacity

In parallel with the codeshare agreement, airBaltic has confirmed plans to resume direct flights between Riga and Tel Aviv from 1 July 2026, operating three times per week.

The reinstatement of direct services is expected to complement the codeshare structure, offering passengers both direct and connecting options depending on demand and scheduling preferences. The decision follows improved conditions in the region and increasing passenger demand for travel between Israel and Northern Europe.

The airline has stated that the resumption will be carried out in line with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidance and insurance requirements. Safety considerations remain a top priority, with ongoing monitoring of operational conditions to ensure flexibility in scheduling if required.

Broader Impact on European–Middle East Aviation Connectivity

The partnership between airBaltic and EL AL Israel Airlines reflects a broader shift in airline strategy across Europe and the Middle East, where collaboration is increasingly used to extend network reach efficiently.

For passengers, the agreement translates into improved route choices, reduced connection complexity, and better access to a wider range of destinations without the need for multiple separate bookings. For airlines, it enhances network efficiency, improves aircraft utilisation, and strengthens competitive positioning in a highly interconnected aviation market.

As global air travel continues to recover and expand, such partnerships are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping connectivity between regions, particularly through mid-sized hubs like Riga that offer strong geographic advantages.

The partnership between airBaltic and EL AL Israel Airlines is driving a major Europe–Israel aviation expansion by launching a new codeshare network linking Riga and Tel Aviv with key cities including Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan and major Scandinavian hubs. The move is being powered by rising demand for seamless one-stop connectivity, stronger tourism flows and growing business ties across the two regions.

The codeshare partnership between airBaltic and EL AL Israel Airlines represents a strategic step forward in strengthening Europe–Israel aviation links through improved connectivity, expanded route access and more efficient one-stop travel via key hubs such as Riga and Tel Aviv. By integrating their networks across major European destinations including Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan and Scandinavian cities, both carriers are positioning themselves to capture rising demand for seamless international travel.

Overall, the agreement enhances passenger convenience, supports tourism and business mobility, and reinforces Riga’s growing importance as a Northern European transit gateway while extending EL AL’s reach deeper into the European aviation market.