Israeli Favorite Ryanair Set to Resume Flights to Israel

A favorite airline among Israelis has announced it will resume flights to and from the Jewish state this summer, just a few weeks after the company said it would not return until the fall.

Low-cost Irish airline Ryanair said flights to and from Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport will resume on June 2, the Israel Airports Authority said on Thursday. The airline is set to open 20 flights per week, going to places such as Berlin, Budapest, and Paphos, among others.

Ryanair is especially popular among Israelis due to its extremely low costs compared to major airline companies. In many cases flights can cost under $60 roundtrip, without checked baggage.

The decision by Ryanair comes as many airlines have begun resuming flights to Israel.

Most airlines canceled flights to the Jewish state shortly following Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre across southern Israel due to the ensuing war in Gaza.

Last month, Delta Air Lines announced that it would resume nonstop flights on June 7, saying it will continue to “closely monitor the situation in Israel in conjunction with government and private-sector partners.”

Airlines such as Air France and Etihad Airways, among others, have also resumed flights to Israel, though with fewer than before the war. The lack of international options has burdened Israelis due to rising costs, in some cases 50-100 percent more expensive than before Oct. 7.

Due to the high costs, short supply of flights, and fear by some people to fly to Israel, tourist entries into the country are much lower than in years past. For example, January 2024 saw 59,000 tourists enter the country versus 271,000 in the same month last year.