Ryanair cancels all flights to and from Israel until end of July

In a blow to travelers planning Shavuot celebrations, Ryanair, the European low-cost giant, announced on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, that it is canceling all flights to and from Israel until July 31, 2025.

The decision extends the airline’s suspension of operations at Ben Gurion Airport, citing ongoing security concerns in the region. In a statement, Ryanair expressed regret, saying, “We apologize for these cancellations, which are beyond our control,” and assured affected passengers that they would receive emails detailing their options.

The announcement comes just ten days after Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, voiced frustration over Israel’s security situation. Speaking to analysts following the release of the company’s year-end report, O’Leary hinted at a potential permanent withdrawal from Israel, stating, “I think we’re losing patience with regard to Israel concerning flights to and from Tel Aviv. If they continue to experience security disruptions, frankly, it’s better we send those planes elsewhere in Europe.”

His remarks were made in the context of heightened threats to Israel’s airspace, particularly following a Houthi missile strike on Ben Gurion Airport on May 4, 2025, which has exacerbated an ongoing aviation crisis in the country.

Ryanair is not alone in its decision. The Lufthansa Group, which includes Swiss, Eurowings, and Austrian Airlines, announced this week that it will not resume flights to Israel until June 15, 2025, marking the second postponement since the airport attack.

Meanwhile, some airlines have cautiously returned to Israel, including Ethiopian Airlines, Wizz Air, and Air Europa. Others, such as the Lufthansa Group, Aegean, Air France, and Air India, are slated to resume operations later in June, with United Airlines scheduled for June 12 and British Airways for June 14.