Ryanair cancels Tel Aviv winter flights over slot and terminal disputes

Ryanair has announced it will not resume flights to and from Tel Aviv this winter, cancelling 22 routes and 1 million seats, due to Ben Gurion Airport’s refusal to confirm Summer 2026 (S26) slots and guarantee the availability of low-cost Terminal 1 (T1).

The airline’s operations were repeatedly disrupted this summer when Tel Aviv Airport closed T1 three times due to security issues, forcing Ryanair into the more expensive Terminal 3 (T3). This made previously low-cost routes financially unviable.

Ryanair says it will only restart services when:

• S26 slots are confirmed, and
• T1 remains available during future disruptions.

The airline criticised the airport for “refusing to honour low-cost agreements” and for closing T1 “for its own convenience.”

Until guarantees are provided, Ryanair will not return to Tel Aviv, meaning passengers will lose access to its low fares and extensive network of 22 winter routes. The airline signalled it is open to returning if Ben Gurion Airport confirms slot allocations and T1 access.