Full Breakdown
Impact of War on Israeli Air Travel: Foreign Airlines Withdraw, Local Carriers Profit
3/14/2026, 9:47:31 PM
Current State of Air Travel in Israel
The ongoing conflict with Iran has led to a significant withdrawal of foreign airlines from routes serving Israel, resulting in soaring ticket prices and uncertainty for travelers. As of now, major carriers such as British Airways, Air Canada, and Delta Airlines have suspended flights to and from Ben-Gurion Airport, with some extending cancellations into May 2024. EasyJet has announced it will not resume operations until October 2024. This situation has left local airlines, including El Al, Arkia, and Israir, as the primary options for air travel, allowing them to increase fares significantly.
Local Airlines Capitalizing on Demand
With foreign airlines largely absent, Israeli carriers have been charging higher prices, banking on consumer willingness to pay a premium for flights perceived as more reliable. El Al, for instance, has seen a 15% increase in ticket prices for spring and summer travel compared to just ten days prior. Mark Feldman, CEO of Ziontours Jerusalem, noted that round-trip tickets to New York with El Al are currently priced at $1,990, compared to $1,700 with United Airlines. This price disparity highlights the monopolistic position El Al has gained amid the crisis.
Repatriation Efforts and Operational Challenges
In response to the conflict, Israeli airlines have initiated repatriation flights for approximately 100,000 citizens stranded abroad. El Al has implemented a fixed pricing structure for these flights, offering significantly lower fares for last-minute bookings. For example, flights from Athens are priced at $149, while long-haul flights from New York are set between $599 and $699. However, the operational challenges remain significant, as many airline employees are still engaged in reserve duty or affected by forced leave.
Future Outlook and Consumer Guidance
As the situation evolves, Israeli airlines are preparing to restore international flight schedules once airspace is fully reopened. Discussions are ongoing regarding how to prioritize rebooking for passengers whose flights were canceled during the conflict. Industry officials have indicated that ticket prices may normalize once operations stabilize, although no specific timeline has been established. Travelers are advised to monitor official cancellation notices and remain aware that flights not officially canceled are still considered active.
Criticism of Price Increases
Despite the operational challenges, local airlines have faced criticism for alleged price gouging during wartime. El Al is currently under scrutiny from Israel’s competition watchdog for charging "excessive and unfair" fares, which has led to a fine of NIS 121 million ($39 million). Critics argue that the airline's dominance in the market during this crisis is detrimental to consumers, who are left with limited options.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Every day that we are at war means another foreign carrier is going to delay its return until it’s quiet in the skies over Israel,” — Mark Feldman, CEO of Ziontours Jerusalem
- “Most bookings we are getting are almost exclusively on El Al, which reinforces, once more, why El Al will have a dominant position, and reap the benefits from a near monopoly on its routes,” — Mark Feldman, CEO of Ziontours Jerusalem
- “We have seen a 15% increase in ticket prices for the spring and summer to almost all destinations, relative to just 10 days ago,” — Mark Feldman, CEO of Ziontours Jerusalem
The ongoing conflict has reshaped the landscape of air travel in Israel, with local airlines benefiting from the absence of foreign carriers while facing scrutiny over pricing practices.
