Low-Cost Giant Cancels Flights to Israel for Two Days

Last night, rocket fire from Iran toward Israel resumed, and as a result, Home Front Command instructions were tightened across the country. Alongside the suspension of classes in the education system and additional restrictions on the economy, discussion also continued over the operation of Ben Gurion Airport. In recent hours, discussions on the matter have taken place, and at this stage it was decided not to restrict operations at Ben Gurion despite the escalation. While the Home Front Command and the Civil Aviation Authority tended to support additional restrictions, the Transportation Ministry pushed for normal operation of the airport to continue. However, there may be changes depending on the situation assessment and the pace of launches.

For now, at least with regard to foreign airlines, there has not been a sweeping wave of cancellations, as passengers have become used to seeing in previous crisis periods. Still, there have been isolated cancellations, for example Wizz Air, which announced it was canceling flights for today and tomorrow, and Austrian Airlines, which canceled its flights to and from Israel for the coming 24 hours after only last week, on Tuesday, resuming service on the Tel Aviv route. Flydubai also reduced the frequency of its daily flights from 7 to 5 for the next two days.

At this stage, 22 foreign airlines are operating at Ben Gurion. It does not appear to be a broad trend, but it could certainly expand in the coming hours. One reason may be that the number of foreign airlines operating in Israel is still relatively low to begin with. Today, only about 22 foreign airlines operate at Ben Gurion, alongside four Israeli airlines, El Al, Arkia, Israir and Air Haifa.

The current escalation comes in the midst of a recovery period at Ben Gurion, after Operation "Rising Lion." In the coming weeks, additional airlines were expected to resume flights to Israel, including Lufthansa, Italy's ITA, SWISS, Eurowings, Air Baltic, Neos and Fly One. However, following the latest escalation, these return plans may now be in doubt. Even airlines already operating flights to Israel are not immune to changes.

On the other hand, many of the airlines currently operating in Israel are those that have shown relative loyalty to the local market throughout the war, were among the first to resume operations after suspension periods, and in many cases have shown a greater willingness to continue flying even during periods of security uncertainty. Among the foreign airlines operating now are Gulf carriers Etihad and Flydubai, which have continued to operate routes to Israel relatively steadily in recent years, amid the strengthening of regional ties created by the Abraham Accords. Alongside them are foreign airlines owned by Israelis, Blue Bird and Tus Airways, which rely heavily on the Israeli market. Another group consists of airlines from Eastern Europe and Asia, including Fly One, HiSky, Uzbekistan Airways and others, which tend to return to service in Israel relatively early after security crises.

The regulator that will decide

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) currently maintains a risk alert for Middle East airspace, including Israel, valid until June 10. The warning is intended for European airlines and foreign operators working under the agency's approval. While for Iran, Iraq and Lebanon the recommendation is to avoid flights entirely, for Israel the guidance is to continue operating cautiously, carry out ongoing risk assessments and prepare for rapid changes in the security situation.

EASA's latest decision, published at the end of May, extended the warning in its current format until June 10, as noted, and helped the gradual return of foreign airlines to Israel. Before that, many airlines chose not to resume operations because of the security situation and the caution exercised by European regulators. As of now, EASA has still not updated the warning following the latest developments in the region, and has not yet responded to Globes' question about when the next discussion on the matter is expected to take place.

If EASA decides to tighten the warning and restore the stricter recommendations that were in force in previous months, this could make it harder for additional foreign airlines to return to Israel and could even lead to cancellations by some airlines that have already resumed operations. Although EASA guidelines do not require airlines to stop flying, they are a significant factor in the risk assessments of European operators, alongside insurance, safety and flight crew approval considerations.