Ryanair May Exit Israel Over High Fees, Operational Disruptions

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, is considering a permanent exit from Israel, citing high airport fees and persistent operational disruptions at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

“There is a real possibility that we will not bother returning to Israel,” said Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair, noting that the airline is reassessing its position after what he described as mistreatment and ongoing operational challenges.

Ryanair suspended flights following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, briefly resuming on Feb. 1, 2024, under guidance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Recurring security risks and infrastructure issues have caused multiple extensions of the suspension.

As of Sept. 12, 2025, services are halted until at least Oct. 25, 2025, with resumption not guaranteed. “Unless the Israelis get themselves organized and stop complicating things, we have much more growth elsewhere in Europe,” O’Leary said.

Timeline of operational halts:

• March 2024: Suspended until April due to closure of Terminal 1.
   

• November 2024: Extended to March 2025 due to war-related risks.
   

• May 2025: Halted until June 4 after a Houthi missile strike near Ben Gurion.
   

• May 28, 2025: Extended to July 31 amid regional tensions.
   

• June 2025: Extended to Aug. 31 as hostilities continued.
   

• June 24, 2025: Suspended until Oct. 25, with O’Leary signaling a possible permanent withdrawal.
   

O’Leary cited two main reasons:

1. Terminal closure and high fees: The closure of Terminal 1, designated for low-cost carriers, has forced Ryanair to use Terminal 3, which carries higher charges. “Ben Gurion charges us the highest rate at the main terminal while the low-cost terminal remains closed for security reasons,” he said.
    

2. Ongoing security concerns: Missile threats and regional instability have disrupted schedules and added operational uncertainty. O’Leary emphasized that Ryanair has “no ethical concerns about flying to Israel,” but continued disruptions and costs undermine its low-cost model.
    

Ryanair’s potential withdrawal could affect tens of thousands of passengers. Customers with canceled bookings are eligible for refunds or rebooking via Ryanair’s online platforms, though alternatives may be limited, with fares on other carriers such as El Al or major international airlines likely higher.