Ben Gurion Airport Terminal 1, which has been closed for more than seven months due to the war and the accompanying sharp decline in passenger numbers, will begin operating domestic flights on May 27th and international flights on June 2nd.
Low-cost airlines canceled flights to Israel when the war began. Ryanair abruptly suspended its flights in February, less than two weeks after resuming flights, due to the closure of Terminal 1.
The airport fee for cheap flights and domestic flights at Terminal 1 is $11 per passenger, while the fee for Terminal 3 is $27 per passenger. will be less profitable.
A Ynet investigation found that ticket prices for Ryanair and Wizz Air have risen by hundreds of percent compared to last year, in part because fewer foreign airlines serve Israel, putting prices on par with those of full-fare airlines.
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Ryanair will resume operations from Ben Gurion Airport’s Terminal 1 early next month
(Photo: Shutterstock)
Shirley Cohen Orkabi, vice president of Eshet Tours Group, told Y-Net that Ryanair’s return could help stabilize ticket prices. “The reopening of Terminal 1 and Ryanair’s return to Ben Gurion Airport is great news for Israel’s aviation industry and will lead to increased passenger numbers this summer,” she said.
She added: “The low prices we once knew are gone. Compared to last year, prices are hundreds of percent different. At least until the end of 2024, there will be less air supply. “This is the age of airplanes,” he added. For example, the price of a Ryanair ticket to Cyprus used to be a few tens of euros, now it costs 100-200 euros. ”
Yoni Waksman, vice chairman of Ophir Tours, said the reopening of Terminal 1 and the return of low-cost carriers will make flights to Europe much cheaper, with a price difference of more than 60% compared to regular airlines. emphasized. This was partly because Israel Airlines tickets were booked in advance and only the higher priced seats were available.
Waksman gave some examples of more affordable flights to Europe.
Berlin: $142 on Ryanair from June 3 to 8. There were no economy seats available on El Al, so he only had to fly business class for $1,500.
Paris: June 4-7, Transavia $155, El Al $681.
Vienna: From June 4th to 9th, Wizz Air costs $242 and El Al costs $898.
Budapest: $150 (excluding baggage, no return ticket) on Wizz Air from June 4 to 9, $435 on El Al.
Waksman said the wide price differential makes low-cost carriers a more attractive option for travelers.
