Wave of Airline Cancellations Continues: EasyJet Postpones Return to Israel Amid Security Concerns

Low-cost carrier EasyJet has announced another postponement of its return to Ben Gurion Airport, now pushing back operations to July 1, a month later than previously planned. The airline, which has not flown to Israel since Iran’s April 2024 attack, had intended to resume service on June 1. The decision comes in the wake of renewed security fears following a Houthi ballistic missile strike that hit Ben Gurion Airport earlier this month.

Thousands of Israeli passengers who purchased tickets for June flights with EasyJet are expected to receive cancellation notices in the coming days.

European Airlines Slowly Resuming Flights Under Restrictions

In contrast to EasyJet’s extended suspension, several other international carriers are cautiously resuming flights to Israel:

• The Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings) announced a return to Ben Gurion on May 19, though in a limited capacity and without night flights through early June.

• Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air will resume operations on May 15.

• Air Europa resumed flights on May 13, emphasizing its schedule remains subject to ongoing security evaluations.

• Aegean Airlines plans to resume flights on May 16.

• Air France and Transavia have delayed their returns to May 20.

• Air India will return on May 25.

• Iberia Express and British Airways will remain grounded until June 1 and June 16, respectively.

• Ryanair will not resume service before May 21.

Airlines That Announced Cancellations or Delays:

• EasyJet – Delayed return to July 1

• Iberia Express – Flights canceled until June 1

• Wizz Air – Resumes May 15

• airBaltic – Canceled flights until May 18

• British Airways – Canceled flights until June 14

• Ryanair – Canceled flights until May 21

• Delta – Flights suspended until May 19

• United Airlines – Flights suspended until May 19

• Lufthansa Group – Resumes May 19 (no night flights)

• ITA Airways – Flights suspended until May 18

• Air France / Transavia – Canceled until May 20

• Air India – Canceled until May 25

• LOT Polish Airlines – Canceled until May 18

• Aegean Airlines – Canceled until May 16

Israeli Airlines Fill the Void

With international carriers scaling back, Israeli airlines El Al, Israir, and Arkia have seen a surge in demand. Shares of El Al and Israir rose on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange following the wave of cancellations.

In response, local airlines have increased flight frequencies and added new routes:

• Israir added flights from Larnaca (Cyprus), Budapest, and Athens.

• Arkia is reinforcing its Athens service.

• El Al has implemented price caps for LITE tickets on select routes from Europe to Tel Aviv.

Security Concerns and Government Response

The missile strike on Ben Gurion Airport—believed to be the first direct hit on the facility—has intensified concerns within the aviation sector.

“This is the first time a missile has made a direct hit inside Ben Gurion Airport, to the best of my memory,” said Avner (Neri) Yarkoni, former head of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). “It wasn’t just a missile—it was a ballistic missile. It could have ended differently. The facts are sad: they launched one missile, and despite Israel’s defenses, it hit dead center.”

Yarkoni emphasized that cancellations are airline-level decisions, not government-imposed bans, but warned that Israel’s international credibility is at stake.

“It’s now up to the Prime Minister, the Transportation Minister, and even the Defense Minister to reassure the world,” he added. “I’m not sure foreign governments currently trust Israel to guarantee air safety.”

Responsibility for negotiations with airlines falls to Shmulik Zakai, current Director of the CAA.