Irish budget airline Ryanair has announced it will continue to suspend all flights to and from Israel until at least August 31. The decision follows a statement made last month by Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, who said the company was “losing patience with what’s happening in Israel,” and warned that “if the disruptions continue, it’s better for us to move our planes elsewhere in Europe.”
Meanwhile, British low-cost carrier easyJet, which has not flown to Israel since October 2023, said earlier this week that it is once again postponing its return to Ben-Gurion Airport. The airline now plans to suspend all Tel Aviv flights until at least July 31.
EasyJet had originally intended to resume operations in early July. “All customers with July bookings are being notified of their options, including a full refund or transfer to an alternative flight,” the company said in a statement. “We continue to monitor the security situation in Israel closely.”
Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, announced over the weekend that it plans to gradually resume flights to Tel Aviv starting June 23. “For operational reasons, each airline in the group will restore flights in stages,” the group said. “The decision to resume flights to Israel follows a thorough risk assessment and coordination with the relevant authorities.”
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Italian carrier ITA Airways also announced it will resume service to Israel starting July 7.
Last week, Transavia returned to the Israeli skies.
American carriers United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have already resumed flights to Israel, as has Dutch airline KLM. KLM flights from the Netherlands to Israel currently include a short stop in Larnaca, while flights from Israel to Amsterdam are direct.
Air France and Greece’s Aegean Airlines have also resumed operations to and from Israel.
Airlines Still Not Flying to Israel:
British Airways: Flights suspended through at least July 31.
Air Seychelles: No plans to resume flights before August.
LOT Polish Airlines: Suspended through June 15.
Air India: Suspended through July 1.
Iberia and Iberia Express: Suspended through June 30.
AirBaltic, Latvia’s national carrier, has not resumed flights, and it’s unclear when it will.
Air Canada: Canceled its planned return in June and will not resume service to Israel for now.
Are passengers entitled to compensation?
Aviation and tourism attorney Ehud Pei explains: “If the airline can prove the flight was canceled due to an exceptional security-related incident linked to the war, such as the rocket strike on Ben-Gurion Airport, it may be exempt from paying financial compensation.”
Houthi rocket hits Ben Gurion Airport area
Are passengers entitled to a refund or an alternative flight?
“Yes,” says Pei. “Even in such cases, airlines are still obligated to offer passengers either a full refund or an alternative flight, according to the passenger’s preference. They must also provide assistance, including accommodation and meals, until the replacement flight departs.”
What should travelers pay attention yo?
Travelers are advised to monitor airline updates closely for cancellations or resumed service. Lufthansa Group, for example, is offering affected passengers the option to cancel or rebook tickets at no extra charge.
For those booking through Israeli airlines, it’s important to check whether the plane used on the intended route is leased from another operator.
Additional Tips:
Travelers are encouraged to add ticket protection (also known as “Magen” or “Protect”) when booking with Israeli carriers to secure a refund in case of cancellation.
Anyone currently stuck abroad should consider extending their travel insurance coverage. Some insurers automatically offer extensions, but it’s important to verify.