Ryanair has requested Ben Gurion International Airport to reopen Terminal 1 to enable low-cost air travel to and from Tel Aviv, as the airline faced increased operational costs when directed to operate through the pricier Terminal 3.
Despite Ryanair’s request for Terminal 1 passenger charges to be applied temporarily until its reopening, Ben Gurion International Airport declined, leading to the suspension of Ryanair flights to and from Tel Aviv starting from February 27 until Terminal 1 reopens.
Ryanair has requested confirmation from Ben Gurion International Airport regarding the reopening of Terminal 1, which would allow the resumption of affordable flight options for passengers travelling to and from Tel Aviv.
Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson, said: “We were deeply disappointed by Ben Gurion International Airport’s refusal to reopen the low-cost Terminal 1 where Ryanair normally operates. We don’t mind if the airport forces us to put Ryanair flights through Terminal 3 on an interim basis because of the large decline in traffic to/from Tel Aviv, but this should be done on the agreed Terminal 1 prices, not Terminal 3 prices. Ryanair wishes to support Ben Gurion International Airport and the recovery of air travel to/from Israel, but we cannot do so, or ask our passengers to pay higher air fares while Ben Gurion International Airport keep the low-cost Terminal 1 closed and force our flights into the high-cost Terminal 3, charging fees which were never agreed by Ryanair. We call again on Ben Gurion International Airport to confirm a date when the lower cost Terminal 1 facility will be reopened, which will allow Ryanair to resume selling low fare flights to/from Tel Aviv which have done so much to grow air travel and tourism for Israel.”
