Low-cost giant Ryanair extends suspension of Tel Aviv flights until August 1; report says some 200,000 tickets canceled

In a massive blow to travelers, low-cost air giant Ryanair announces it is extending the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv until August 1.

The airline says that the flights are being canceled for reasons “beyond our control.”

According to Channel 12 news, the announcement means that some 200,000 tickets have been canceled, with summer vacations thrown into chaos for many.

The low-cost carrier resumed flights to Israel in March after an extended hiatus, but suspended them again this month following a Houthi attack in which a missile hit the grounds of the airport.

It had been set to resume flying in early June.

Earlier this month, Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said his airline was “losing patience” with security disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport and may consider diverting aircraft to service alternative destinations.

“I think we’re running out of patience too with Israel… flights to and from Tel Aviv,” O’Leary told analysts following the release of full-year results.

“If they’re going to keep being disrupted by these security disruptions, frankly, we’d be better off sending those aircraft somewhere else in Europe,” he said.

The ongoing war, which has led to many foreign carriers canceling Tel Aviv services, means that Israeli airlines, chiefly El Al, operate at a near-monopoly on some routes, setting sky-high ticket prices.