Irish airline threatens to permanently halt flights to Israel

Irish airline Ryanair threatened on Monday to completely withdraw from the Israeli market, saying that continued security threats could force it to halt all flights to and from Tel Aviv.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted Michael O'Reilly, CEO of the Irish airline Ryanair, as saying, "The company is seriously reconsidering its continued operations within Israel, in light of the escalating security threats to Israeli airspace."

O'Reilly was speaking at an analyst conference following the release of the company's annual report, it said.

He added, "I think we're starting to lose patience with the situation in Israel, especially with regard to flights to and from Tel Aviv. If the security unrest continues, then frankly, it's better to divert our flights to other destinations in Europe."

He added that "all the company's flights to Israel remain suspended until early June," without definitive confirmation of when they will resume.

Missile attacks carried out by the Yemeni Houthi group on Ben Gurion Airport in May resulted in a wave of flight suspensions by several international airlines due to concerns that aircraft could face security risks during landing or takeoff from Israel.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority claimed that most foreign companies that suspended flights to Tel Aviv have announced their intention to gradually resume flights over the coming weeks, but Ryanair appears to be taking the most stringent stance so far.

She stressed that "if the company carries out its threat and permanently exits the Israeli market, this will represent a significant blow to low-cost travel options, particularly for travelers to and from Europe."

The Houthis say they are launching missiles at Israel "in support of the Palestinians in Gaza," and that they will continue to do so as long as Tel Aviv continues its war of extermination in the Strip.

With American support, Israel has been committing genocidal crimes in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 174,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing.