Irish low-cost airline Ryanair may not return to Israel even after the Gaza war subsides, according to CEO Michael O’Leary, who accused Israeli aviation authorities of obstructing the airline.
Speaking to journalists in Dublin, O’Leary said, “There’s a real possibility that we won’t bother going back to Israel when the current violence recedes.” Earlier this summer, the airline announced it would not resume flights to Israel before October 25 at the earliest.
O’Leary expressed frustration over disruptions at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, particularly the higher fees charged for using the main terminal when the low-cost Terminal 1 is closed for security reasons.
In May, he told analysts, “I think we're running out of patience too with Israel ... flights to and from Tel Aviv. 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."
Ryanair halted flights to Israel in October 2023 following the outbreak of the war, briefly resumed operations in February 2024, but stopped again by month’s end due to a dispute over terminal usage.
The airline restarted flights from Baden-Baden, Germany, to Ben Gurion in late March, planning routes from 22 cities across 12 European countries, but ceased operations again in May after a Houthi ballistic missile struck the airport.
O’Leary’s comments highlight Ryanair’s exasperation with operational challenges in Israel. He told reporters, “Unless the Israelis kind of get their act together and stop messing us around, frankly, we have far more growth elsewhere in Europe.”
The airline’s repeated suspensions reflect ongoing security concerns and logistical issues, prompting Ryanair to consider redirecting its resources to more stable European markets.