Finance
Ryanair halts low-fare winter flights to Tel Aviv over terminal dispute
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on September 30, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on September 30, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Ryanair cancels winter flights to Tel Aviv due to a terminal dispute with Ben Gurion Airport, affecting one million seats and 22 routes.
(Reuters) -Ryanair said on Tuesday it will not restart low-fare flights to and from Tel Aviv this winter, as the city's Ben Gurion Airport refused to confirm the airline's summer 2026 slots or guarantee access to its low-cost terminal.
The airline said the Israeli airport had repeatedly forced Ryanair to use the more expensive Terminal 3 instead of the low-cost Terminal 1 during security concerns this summer, making previously sold tickets unprofitable.
"We are not willing to restart loss-making flights to/from Tel Aviv for the winter season, without the certainty that our summer 2026 historic slots have been confirmed," a Ryanair spokesperson said.
The Israel Airports Authority told Reuters Ryanair has received all the slots it requested for its dozens of weekly flights and destinations for the Winter 2025–2026 season.
"The Israel Airports Authority is prepared to immediately provide the company with all necessary services for the benefit of passengers. In accordance with international regulations, if the airline makes full use of the slots granted for the winter season, it will be given priority for the same destinations in the following summer season," it added.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary had said earlier this month the airline might not return to Israel when violence related to the Gaza war recedes due to the issues with the airport.
The airline earlier this summer had said it would not return to Israel until October 25 at the earliest.
The flights suspension will result in a loss of one million seats and 22 routes for Ryanair, it said.
(Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru and Steven Scheer in Jerusalem; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Krishna Chandra Eluri)
A low-cost airline is an airline that offers cheaper fares and fewer amenities compared to traditional airlines, often charging for extras like checked baggage and onboard meals.
Flight slots are specific time periods allocated to airlines for takeoff and landing at an airport, ensuring organized air traffic management.
A spokesperson is an individual designated to speak on behalf of an organization, providing information and responding to media inquiries.
A route in aviation refers to the specific path an airline takes to connect two airports, which can include multiple stops or direct flights.
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