Ryanair, the Irish budget airline known for its no-frills service and competitive fares, is facing a crossroads in its relationship with Israel. The prospect of the carrier resuming flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport after the Gaza conflict is now in serious doubt, as CEO Michael O’Leary has repeatedly voiced his frustration with both security disruptions and what he describes as unfair treatment by Israeli airport authorities.
O’Leary’s candid remarks came during a press briefing in Dublin on September 11, 2025. He told journalists, “There’s a real possibility that we won’t bother going back to Israel when the current violence recedes.” According to Reuters, this statement underscores a growing rift between the airline and Israeli officials—a rift marked by operational headaches, mounting costs, and a sense that Ryanair is, in O’Leary’s words, “being messed around.”
Ryanair had initially planned to return to the Israeli market by October 25, 2025, after suspending flights due to the ongoing Gaza conflict. But O’Leary has made it clear that this timeline is no longer set in stone. The airline’s patience, he says, is wearing thin. “Unless the Israelis kind of get their act together and stop messing us around, frankly, we have far more growth elsewhere in Europe,” O’Leary told reporters, as cited by Israel Hayom. It’s a blunt message, but one that reflects the airline’s exasperation with a situation that has become increasingly untenable.
The core of Ryanair’s grievance centers on the fees imposed at Ben Gurion Airport. When the airport’s low-cost Terminal 1 is closed—often for security reasons—Ryanair and other budget carriers are forced to use the main terminal, which comes with significantly higher operating charges. “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,” O’Leary told analysts back in May 2025, as reported by Devdiscourse.
This isn’t the first time Ryanair has pulled back from the Israeli market. The airline resumed flights from Baden-Baden, Germany, to Ben Gurion in late March 2025, with ambitious plans to connect 22 cities across 12 European countries to Israel. However, those operations were abruptly halted in May after a Houthi ballistic missile struck the airport, raising fresh concerns about the safety and stability of the region. The repeated suspensions have only deepened Ryanair’s skepticism about the viability of maintaining a robust presence in Israel.
For Israeli travelers, the stakes are high. Ryanair’s entry into the market several years ago was a game-changer, making it possible for many to fly to Europe at prices previously unheard of. Industry experts warn that if Ryanair withdraws for good, competition will dwindle and ticket prices could soar. “The loss of Ryanair could sharply reduce competition and send ticket prices soaring,” an aviation source told Israel Hayom. That’s a scenario likely to hit both leisure and business travelers hard, especially those who have come to rely on the airline’s affordable fares for family visits, vacations, and work trips.
O’Leary’s criticism of Israeli airport authorities has been unusually pointed. He has accused them of “messing around” with the airline, a phrase he’s repeated in multiple interviews. The frustration isn’t just about money, though the financial impact is significant. It’s also about predictability and fairness. Ryanair, like many low-cost carriers, operates on razor-thin margins and relies on efficient, streamlined airport operations. When those conditions aren’t met—whether due to security closures, unexpected fees, or logistical hurdles—the entire business model is threatened.
“If these security disruptions continue, frankly, we’d be better off sending our aircraft elsewhere in Europe,” O’Leary said earlier this year, according to Reuters. The implication is clear: Ryanair has options, and the Israeli market, while important, isn’t indispensable to the airline’s broader European strategy. With hundreds of routes crisscrossing the continent, the company can—and will—shift its resources to more stable and welcoming destinations if necessary.
The situation at Ben Gurion Airport is complex. Security is, understandably, a top priority for Israeli authorities, especially given the ongoing conflict with Hamas and the threat of attacks on critical infrastructure. The closure of Terminal 1, which caters to low-cost carriers, is typically justified on these grounds. But for Ryanair, the result is a double blow: higher costs and greater uncertainty. The company’s business model depends on keeping expenses low, and being forced to pay premium rates for the main terminal undermines that goal.
O’Leary’s comments have put pressure on Israeli officials to reconsider their approach. While there has been no official response from the airport authorities, the message from Ryanair is unmistakable: unless there’s a meaningful change, the airline may be gone for good. “The company has plenty of alternatives and is not tied to the Israeli market,” one industry expert told Israel Hayom. That flexibility gives Ryanair significant leverage—but it also means Israeli travelers could soon find themselves with fewer choices and higher prices.
The broader context is one of ongoing instability in the region. The Gaza conflict has disrupted air travel repeatedly, with airlines around the world suspending or rerouting flights. Ryanair’s experience is emblematic of the challenges faced by all carriers operating in volatile environments. Yet, as a budget airline that prides itself on efficiency and low fares, Ryanair is especially sensitive to disruptions and cost increases.
Looking ahead, the situation remains fluid. Ryanair’s official position is that flights to Israel are suspended until at least October 25, 2025. But O’Leary’s remarks suggest that even this date is far from certain. The airline is keeping its options open, closely monitoring developments in both security and airport policy. For now, the message to Israeli travelers is clear: don’t count on Ryanair’s return unless significant changes are made.
As the dust settles from the latest round of conflict, the future of budget air travel between Israel and Europe hangs in the balance. Whether Ryanair will once again take to the skies over Tel Aviv depends not just on peace in the region, but on the willingness of airport authorities to address the concerns of one of Europe’s most influential airlines. For now, uncertainty prevails—and for many, that’s the most frustrating part of all.
