Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair announced Wednesday it will not resume flights to Israel before June 4, following a Houthi missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport earlier this month. Ryanair is among numerous foreign airlines that suspended operations due to security risks.
British low-cost airline easyJet, which halted flights to Israel in October 2023, also postponed its return. The company said it will not operate flights to or from Tel Aviv until at least June 30. “All passengers with June bookings are being contacted with options, including refunds or rebooking,” easyJet said in a statement, which added that the airline continues to monitor the security situation closely.
In contrast, several airlines are beginning to reinstate flights. Greek airline Aegean Airlines announced it will resume service to and from Israel starting May 19. Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air said it will restart operations on Thursday. Air Europa also resumed flights to Ben Gurion Airport this week after a brief suspension.
Airlines that have suspended or delayed flights to Israel:
• United Airlines – Suspended until June 13 (inclusive)
• Delta Air Lines – Suspended until May 20 (inclusive); Reuters reports possible disruptions through May 25
• Lufthansa Group (including Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings) – Suspended until May 18 (inclusive). Between May 19–31, night and morning flights are canceled; daytime flights are under review
• Air France – Suspended until May 15 (inclusive)
• British Airways – Suspended until June 14 (inclusive)
Footage of Houthi missile hitting close to Ben Gurion Airport
• ITA Airways (Italy) – Suspended until May 19 (inclusive)
• Air India – Suspended until May 25 (inclusive)
• Iberia (Spain) – Suspended until May 13 (inclusive)
• LOT Polish Airlines – Suspended until May 18 (inclusive)
• Transavia – Suspended until May 16 (inclusive)
• Air Baltic – Suspended until May 20 (inclusive)
• Ethiopian Airlines – Canceled two round-trip flights between Tel Aviv and Addis Ababa between May 12–21: Flight ET404 (Addis Ababa to Tel Aviv) and ET415 (Tel Aviv to Addis Ababa)
• Air Canada – Announced it will not resume flights to Israel as previously planned in June
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.