Irish low-cost airline Ryanair is considering withdrawing from Israel due to ongoing security problems at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary announced this. He stated that the airline's patience with the security problems in Tel Aviv is running out. Currently, flights to Tel Aviv are suspended until early June 2025.
Michael O'Leary, known for his outspokenness, stressed that Ryanair was "fed up" with the constant security disruptions in Tel Aviv. He indicated that the airline was considering diverting its planes to other European destinations in the future if the current disruptions continued. "I think our patience with Israel is running out," O'Leary said. These comments came amid a period in which several airlines temporarily suspended flights to Tel Aviv due to the tense security situation in the region.
The current suspension of Ryanair flights to Tel Aviv until early June followed incidents near Ben Gurion Airport. At the beginning of May, several airlines, including Austrian Airlines and Wizz Air, temporarily suspended their flights to Tel Aviv after a rocket hit the airport. The Houthi militia from Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack. In contrast, the Israeli airline El Al continued its flights, as its aircraft are equipped with self-protection systems and are escorted by armed security personnel.
Possible consequences for air traffic to Israel
If Ryanair were to permanently cease its operations in Israel, it would be a significant setback for the country's air traffic, especially for low-cost travel. Ryanair has played an important role in connecting Israel to European destinations in recent years and has contributed significantly to tourism.
A withdrawal by the Irish carrier could significantly reduce the selection of affordable flight connections and potentially impact ticket prices for other airlines. Aviation industry observers will closely monitor Ryanair's further developments and decisions. It remains to be seen whether the security situation at Ben Gurion Airport will stabilize and whether Ryanair will actually follow through on its threat to withdraw.