Ryanair halts low-fare winter flights to Tel Aviv over terminal dispute

Ryanair Cancels Low-Cost Winter Flights to Tel Aviv Amid Dispute

Ryanair's Flight Suspension Overview

(Reuters) -Ryanair said on Tuesday it will not restart low-fare flights to and from Tel Aviv this winter, as the city's Ben Gurion Airport refused to confirm the airline's summer 2026 slots or guarantee access to its low-cost terminal. 

Reasons for Flight Cancellation

The airline said the Israeli airport had repeatedly forced Ryanair to use the more expensive Terminal 3 instead of the low-cost Terminal 1 during security concerns this summer, making previously sold tickets unprofitable.

Impact on Passengers and Routes

"We are not willing to restart loss-making flights to/from Tel Aviv for the winter season, without the certainty that our summer 2026 historic slots have been confirmed," a Ryanair spokesperson said.

Statements from Ryanair and Authorities

The Israel Airports Authority told Reuters Ryanair has received all the slots it requested for its dozens of weekly flights and destinations for the Winter 2025–2026 season.

"The Israel Airports Authority is prepared to immediately provide the company with all necessary services for the benefit of passengers. In accordance with international regulations, if the airline makes full use of the slots granted for the winter season, it will be given priority for the same destinations in the following summer season," it added.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary had said earlier this month the airline might not return to Israel when violence related to the Gaza war recedes due to the issues with the airport. 

The airline earlier this summer had said it would not return to Israel until October 25 at the earliest.

The flights suspension will result in a loss of one million seats and 22 routes for Ryanair, it said.

(Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru and Steven Scheer in Jerusalem; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Krishna Chandra Eluri)