Ryanair’s Israel Return in Doubt as Airport Disputes Persist

(ISRAEL) Ryanair’s return to Israel remains in doubt as of September 11, 2025, with the airline extending its suspension of flights to at least the end of October 2025 and warning there may be no restart after that. The clash centers on airport charges and terminal access at Ben Gurion Airport, alongside continued security worries tied to the conflict environment. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has said the carrier is “tired of being messed around” and may pull out of the market for good unless conditions change.

Michael O’Leary’s position has hardened in recent weeks. He has argued that Israeli authorities need to “get their act together,” pointing to higher operating costs when Ryanair is forced into Terminal 3 during periods when Terminal 1, the low-cost facility, is closed. He has also cited safety and stability issues as core reasons to keep aircraft and crew elsewhere in Europe for now.

the airline’s schedule to Israel remains blank through late October. While most major carriers, including El Al, Etihad, and United, have restored service, Ryanair’s absence leaves a gap in the low-cost segment. The company has not given any firm commitment to resume flights even after the current suspension period ends.

What’s driving the standoff

At the heart of the dispute is the balance between Ryanair’s low-cost model and Ben Gurion Airport’s operations during tense periods.

• Historically, Ryanair used Terminal 1, where fees are lower and turnarounds are simpler.
• During security escalations, Terminal 1 often closes and traffic is pushed to Terminal 3, which Ryanair says breaks its cost structure and route planning.
• The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) has, according to airlines, asked for long-term commitments to keep Terminal 1 open. Ryanair and industry groups such as IATA view that as unfair to seasonal or new entrants.
• The IAA disputes this and says the price gap is roughly $17 per passenger, a difference it argues should not be decisive.

Security is the other major factor.

• The ongoing conflict in Gaza and regional instability have produced repeated flight suspensions and route cancellations across carriers since late 2023.
• Missile incidents near Ben Gurion Airport have sharpened the focus on risk management.
• Ryanair’s staff and European trade unions have raised safety concerns about flying to conflict zones, issuing strike notices and asking for voluntary assignment policies for such flights.
• Several legacy airlines have resumed Israel service with adjusted schedules and risk protocols, but Michael O’Leary has signaled Ryanair will not bend its model to fit unpredictable conditions.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the airline’s approach is consistent with its strict cost discipline in other markets, where any rise in airport charges or forced operational shifts can lead to rapid route cuts. Aviation experts note Ryanair’s reliance on quick turns, high aircraft utilization, and a single-type fleet leaves little room for prolonged disruptions.

Impact on travelers and the market

The likely effect is higher fares and fewer choices on Israel–Europe routes, especially for price-sensitive passengers who relied on Ryanair’s low fares.

• With Ryanair out and other budget carriers cautious, the low-cost market is set to shrink through the end of the year.
• EasyJet is not expected to resume operations until March 2026, and Wizz Air has no current service.
• Travelers will be more dependent on national and full-service airlines, which often have higher base fares and different fee structures.

Tourism, family visits, and student travel typically rely on stable, lower-cost capacity to support frequent trips. Without it:

• Demand tends to shift to indirect routings or is deferred.
• Holiday and fall travel demand may be particularly affected.
• Weekend city-break traffic and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) flows are likely to thin.

Practical advice for travelers:

1. Consider alternative carriers and allow more time for connections.
2. Expect changing schedules and possible short-notice cancellations.
3. Do not assume Ryanair will return once November begins — the company has made clear it will only come back under specific conditions.

The company says it will only resume if it secures dependable access to Terminal 1 or equivalent costs, along with a safer and more stable operating picture.

Three moving parts that will decide what happens next

1. Negotiations over terminal access and fees
   • Ryanair wants predictable, low-cost operations at Ben Gurion.
   • The IAA says cost differences are minor and denies its policies block fair competition.
2. Security conditions
   • Any fresh escalation will weigh against a restart.
   • Even without direct incidents, prolonged tension can keep Terminal 1 shut and push operations to Terminal 3.
3. Union and crew issues
   • Staff groups have asked for voluntary assignment on conflict-zone flights.
   • If those demands expand, Ryanair may be less likely to deploy crews to Israel.

The airline says it will keep reviewing the situation through October. A decision on future service is expected by the end of that month. The company has advised customers to check its official channels for updates, while airport-side changes would be posted by the Israel Airports Authority. For operational notices and terminal updates, the IAA’s official website is the best single source: Israel Airports Authority.

Background and timeline

• Late 2023: After the Hamas attack and the outbreak of war, Ryanair suspended all Israel flights.
• February 2024: The airline returned briefly, then pulled back again citing high fees and safety concerns.
• 2024–2025: A pattern of stops and starts continued. Each fresh security incident or operational constraint pushed the carrier further from a stable schedule.
• September 2025: Without changes, Ryanair signals it will look elsewhere for growth and may not return.

Industry groups, including IATA, have criticized the IAA’s policies as anti-competitive and harmful to market diversity. Israeli officials counter that their approach is fair and that any price gap between terminals does not justify withdrawal. Those positions have not moved closer, making a restart this fall look doubtful.

What this means for consumers and businesses

• Even a $17 per-passenger gap can add up across family trips, especially when baggage and seat fees are layered on top of base fares.
• When budget carriers step back, it often takes months—not weeks—for capacity and prices to settle.
• Michael O’Leary has warned that Ryanair will redeploy aircraft to other European markets if Israel remains costly and unstable, a credible threat given the airline’s flexibility.

Travelers should watch for three signals before expecting a turnaround:

• An announced deal on Terminal 1 access
• A steady period without major security incidents
• Public commitments from crews without strike notices tied to Israel flights

If those pieces fall into place, Ryanair could move fast. If not, the gap in low-cost service will likely continue into 2026, with only a slow rebuild once other carriers, like EasyJet, return.

As of today, there are no Ryanair flights to Israel, the earliest possible return sits in late October with no promise, and the dispute over Ben Gurion Airport operations remains unresolved. For consumers, that means planning around uncertainty—and higher prices—until the airline and airport find a way forward.