United resumes flights from US to Israel

United Airlines announced on Tuesday it plans to restart flights to Israel next month, making it the first major U.S. airline to do so this year.

On March 15, United will resume service from Newark to Tel Aviv, and it will add a second daily flight starting March 29, the airline said in a statement.

“This resumption follows a detailed assessment of operational considerations for the region and close work with the unions who represent our flight attendants and pilots,” the statement read.

“United has a longstanding commitment to serving Tel Aviv, and this return will make United the first U.S. airline to resume service this year,” the statement added.

United will “continue to evaluate” whether to restore additional daily flights “based on demand,” the statement said.

United suspended service to Tel Aviv last summer amid rising tensions in the region.

The announcement of the airline’s resumption of flight service comes less than a month after Israel and Hamas struck a fragile three-phase ceasefire agreement that would return hostages in exchange for prisoners and establish a path to a permanent ceasefire.

Delta announced last week it would resume daily flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Tel Aviv starting on April 1.

“Delta’s decision to resume service follows a comprehensive security review, conducted in close coordination with government and private-sector partners. The airline continues to prioritize the safety of its customers and crews and has implemented additional precautions for operations to and from Tel Aviv,” Delta said in its announcement last week.