Irish low-cost airline Ryanair announced Wednesday it’s extending its suspension of flights to Israel through July 31, citing continued regional instability.
The airline, along with numerous other foreign carriers, halted operations to Ben Gurion Airport following a Houthi missile strike earlier this month. Ryanair had initially canceled flights until June 11 but the new decision pushes the suspension deep into the summer travel season.
Last week, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary warned the company was “beginning to lose patience with the situation in Israel,” adding that “if they’re going to keep being disrupted by these security disruptions, frankly, we’d be better off sending those aircraft somewhere else in Europe."
Earlier this week, the Lufthansa Group—which includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings—also extended its Israel flight cancellations through June 15.
In a statement, the company expressed regret over the inconvenience to passengers and said it “continues to monitor developments in the Middle East closely,” stressing that “passenger and crew safety remains the top priority.” Affected customers can rebook or cancel tickets at no extra charge.
Italian flag carrier ITA Airways and Spanish airline Iberia Express have also extended their flight suspensions to Israel until June 15 and June 7, respectively. British Airways announced last weekend that it’s canceling all flights to and from Israel through July 31.
In contrast, France’s Air France resumed flights between Paris and Tel Aviv on Tuesday, while Greece’s Aegean Airlines reinstated service to Israel last Wednesday. Israeli airline Arkia also announced a new weekly direct flight to Seychelles starting June 20, following Air Seychelles' decision to suspend service to Israel until at least August.
U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines resumed its daily nonstop flights between New York’s JFK Airport and Tel Aviv last Monday. The airline said the decision followed “a comprehensive risk assessment” and that it continues to “monitor the security situation and make operational adjustments based on intelligence and guidance from authorities.”
Footage of Houthi missile hitting close to Ben Gurion Airport
The following is a summary of additional airlines and their current suspension dates:
• United Airlines: Flights suspended through June 13
• Air Seychelles: No flights to Israel until at least August
• LOT Polish Airlines: Flights suspended through May 26
• Air India: Flights suspended through May 25
• Iberia: Flights suspended through May 31
• Transavia: Flights suspended through June 2
• airBaltic: Flights suspended through June 10
• easyJet: UK-based budget airline, which hasn’t flown to Israel since October 2023, extended its suspension through June 30. The airline said all June passengers are being contacted with options including refunds or rebooking.
• Air Canada: Initially set to resume flights in June, the airline has now announced it won’t return to Israel for the foreseeable future.
Are passengers entitled to compensation?
Aviation and tourism attorney Ehud Fai explained that passengers may not be entitled to monetary compensation if the airline can prove that the cancellation was required due to a wartime security emergency — such as the missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport.
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Israeli travelers heading to Ben Gurion Airport after Houthi missile hit
(Photo: Jack GUEZ / AFP)
Are refunds or replacement flights still required?
“Yes,” Fai clarified. “Even in such cases, the airline is still obligated to offer passengers either a replacement ticket or a full refund, based on the passenger’s choice, as well as assistance services such as hotel accommodation and meals until the alternate flight departs.”
What should travelers do now?
Travelers should carefully follow airline announcements regarding cancellations or service resumptions. The Lufthansa Group, for instance, is offering affected passengers free cancellations or rebookings. Those booking tickets with Israeli carriers should check whether the flight is operated by a leased foreign aircraft.
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Travelers are encouraged to purchase “ticket insurance” from Israeli carriers, which provides a refund option in case of cancellation. Those currently stranded abroad should ensure their travel insurance is extended. Some insurers are doing this automatically, but passengers should confirm with their providers.