Ryanair has this week called on Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport to reopen Terminal 1.
This comes following the airline restarting services out of the airport back on February 1.
Without further ado, let’s get into it…
Terminal 3 in Tel Aviv Ben Gurion is More Expensive…
Ryanair states that the current set-up at Terminal 3 in terms of operating costs are too high.
The Irish low-cost carrier requested previously with Tel Aviv Ben Gurion to honour the prices agreed with Terminal 1.
However, this has appeared to not have come to fruition, with the Irish low-cost carrier now applying pressure.
Furthermore, as a result of no agreement being made, Ryanair ceased operations from the airport on February 27.
Reopening Would Allow Low-Cost Travel…
Ryanair argues that the reopening of Terminal 1 at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport would allow low-cost travel from Israel again.
Furthermore, the Irish low-cost carrier has sent a letter asking when the terminal will be reopened.
In the wake of passenger traffic dropping due to the conflict against Hamas, terminals shut.
Once Terminal 1 opens up again, then Ryanair would start services again from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport.
CEO Eddie Wilson Disappointed With Refusal to Reopen…
Eddie Wilson, the CEO of Ryanair DAC expressed major disappointment with the airport and government over this:
“[The airline has] worked hard with the Israeli Govt and Ben Gurion International Airport to re-establish Ryanair’s low fare flights to/from Tel Aviv on 1st Feb last.”
“We were deeply disappointed by Ben Gurion International Airport’s refusal to reopen the low-cost Terminal 1 where Ryanair normally operates.”
“We don’t mind if the airport forces us to put Ryanair flights through Terminal 3 on an interim basis because of the large decline in traffic to/from Tel Aviv, but this should be done on the agreed Terminal 1 prices, not Terminal 3 prices.”
“Ryanair wishes to support Ben Gurion International Airport and the recovery of air travel to/from Israel, but we cannot do so, or ask our passengers to pay higher air fares while Ben Gurion International Airport keep the low-cost Terminal 1 closed and force our flights into the high-cost Terminal 3, charging fees which were never agreed by Ryanair.”
“We call again on Ben Gurion International Airport to confirm a date when the lower cost Terminal 1 facility will be reopened, which will allow Ryanair to resume selling low fare flights to/from Tel Aviv which have done so much to grow air travel and tourism for Israel.”
Overall…
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on whether Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport will reopen Terminal 1 sooner.
With Ryanair being known as a company that exerts pressure, all eyes will be on how far they will go.
Clearly Israel is a major market for the low-cost carrier, and wants any opportunity to secure more revenue.
In the meantime, let’s see how the airport and the Israeli Government respond to this.
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