Passenger Flights to Israel Remain Limited and Expensive Amid Security Concerns and Global Uncertainty
Since the ceasefire between Iran and Israel brokered by the United States and Qatar, most American and European airlines continue to avoid Israeli airspace due to security concerns. As a result, Israeli travelers are facing limited and expensive airfare options from local Israeli airlines during the peak of the summer travel season.
Mark Feldman, CEO of Ziontours Jerusalem travel agency, stated that current ticket prices are even higher than last summer’s already excessive rates. “As expensive and shocking as ticket prices were last summer, we have hit new record highs to destinations such as New York, Los Angeles, London, and Rome. Prices are at least 10 to 15% higher than last year,” Feldman explained in an interview with the Times of Israel.
Feldman also noted that due to the lack of competition, tickets to Rome in August are currently selling for $950, compared to $800 or $850 last year and $500 two years ago. He added, “People are buying the tickets and paying the price because they can’t wait for foreign airlines, especially low-cost carriers, to come back.
Since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war involving Iran and its terrorist proxies, many international airlines have canceled flights to and from Israel. The recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel has not yet convinced airlines such as Ryanair, Swiss International Air Lines, EasyJet, and British Airways to resume flights to the Holy Land due to the volatile security situation.
As a result, Israelis and the few international tourists currently have limited travel options, relying on expensive flights operated by Israeli airlines like El Al, Israir, and Arkia to destinations in Europe and the United States.
Yaneev Lanis, founder of the online booking site Secret Flights, expressed cautious optimism that the situation would eventually stabilize and improve. “Hopefully, it will stay quiet in our region, and we will see more and more foreign airlines coming back, but if they don’t come back or if they come back with limited capacity, it’s going to be a tough summer for travel,” Lanis assessed.
He also noted that after the Iran war, more Israelis are choosing to fly with Israeli airlines due to their reliability in case of further conflict, even if it means paying higher prices. Despite the high costs, Lanis predicted that all tickets would eventually sell out due to the high demand from Israeli travelers.
Looking ahead, Feldman predicted that international airlines would only return to the Israeli market if it is financially viable. “Foreign airlines will only come back if there is an economic incentive and enough business from the Israeli market,” he stated. “As Israel is still at war in Gaza and there has been no change in incoming tourism, it’s hard to see a rationale for many European and US airlines to return.