Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has today announced that flights to Ben Gurion Airport, outside of Tel Aviv, on their network will be cancelled until August 26, 2024.
The airline has stated that this is “due to operational restrictions which are beyond our control”.
Without further ado, let’s get into it…
Why Have Ryanair Cancelled Tel Aviv Flights?
Ryanair has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv due to operational restrictions.
This will likely be due to the ongoing tensions and instability ongoing in the region.
Furthermore, the airline has in the past fought with Ben Gurion Airport, blaming the wartime closure of the low-cost terminal over there.
The Irish low-cost carrier restarted services to the airport only on June 3, based on a press release from April this year.
However, with no further detail given, this is expected to be due to the tensions in the region.
Moreover, the following airlines have cancelled flights to Ben Gurion Airport, outside of Tel Aviv, as well as Ryanair:
- United Airlines – Until August 31.
- Delta Air Lines – Until August 31.
- Croatia Airlines – No return date as of yet.
- Air Europa – Until today (August 12).
- ITA Airways – Until today (August 12).
- Vueling – Flights cancelled over the next few weeks – Unclear if this will increase.
- The Lufthansa Group – Until tomorrow (August 13).
- LOT Polish Airlines – Until today (August 12).
- TAROM – Until today (August 12).
- airBaltic – Until August 18.
- Air India – Until October 24.
It is key to note that Ryanair has also made previous cancellation announcements in flights to Ben Gurion Airport, which is outside of Tel Aviv.
Moreover, the initial cancellations were until August 23, with the new date representing an extension in those cancelled flights.
When Will They Return to the Airport?
At this stage, the expectation is that Ryanair will resume flights to Ben Gurion Airport, just outside of Tel Aviv, on August 26.
However, this is at the discretion of the Irish low-cost carrier.
They could always choose to extend the cancellations beyond August 26, if they don’t feel like the operational restrictions have eased off.
Moreover, we have seen other airlines extend cancellations, and the Irish low-cost carrier could follow suit in that regard.
There has been heightened tensions between Israel and neighbouring countries in the last week.
The threat of airstrikes, counteroffensives and much more have been on the cards, both on and off the negotiating table.
Until tensions ease, Ryanair and other airlines may choose to keep cancelling flights into Ben Gurion Airport, and could have a wider impact for Tel Aviv as a whole.
Overall…
In conclusion, Ryanair joins the list of other airlines once again cancelling flights to the airport located outside of Tel Aviv.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on whether the Irish low-cost carrier will extend the cancellations again closer to the time.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, other stakeholders in the industry have been watching that market closely.
For now, all we can do is sit and wait to see what further developments come, and what impact that will have on the airline industry.
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