Several major countries around the world have announced in recent weeks that they are easing the level of travel warnings for Israel, indicating that Israel is returning to normal and that people are trusting it. Israelis hope that the move marks the beginning of a new era for the country’s tourism and aviation industry.

The first country to announce an easing of the travel warning level for Israel was Britain, a move that paved the way for further changes. China has also announced significant easing, which is a particularly important step for tourism and trade relations with Israel.

Another country joining the easing is Japan, thereby conveying confidence in Israel’s return to a stable and safe situation. In Japan, the lowering of the warning is significant because most citizens in the country are complying with the Foreign Ministry’s travel warnings, and have avoided coming to the country in recent months.

These easings in the level of travel warnings could bring foreign airlines back to operating in Israel after months of significant declines in their activity. As more countries join the move following the UK, Japan and China, a domino effect is expected to result, leading to the return of many airlines and tourists from around the world.

Meanwhile, additional airlines will return to Israel this week: Spanish airline Air Europa is expected to return to Israel on December 18 (Tuesday) and resume its route to Madrid. Six weekly flights are planned on advanced Dreamliner aircraft.

Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air will also gradually resume operations starting on December 20 (Thursday), with the Tel Aviv-Larnaca route initially operating with four weekly flights. Expansion to additional routes is planned for January.