Ryanair to begin offering low-cost flights to Israel

Ryanair said today that its first services to Israel will kick off in November, with services from Budapest (Hungary), Krakow (Poland) and Kaunas (Lithuania).

David O’Brien, Ryanair’s chief commercial officer, told a news conference on Tuesday the November-March flights should bring about 40,000 passengers and $20 million into Eilat.

With this latest announcement, Israel will become the 31st country served by Ryanair.

So for many travellers, there may be a bit more of a journey following the flight.

The Irish carrier said it would operate six weekly flights, two each between Israel’s Eilat Ovda airport and Budapest, Kaunas and Krakow.

At present, few carriers fly direct to Eilat.

Ryanair has been in talks to commence flights to Israel for several years after seeing the success of United Kingdom low-priced carrier EasyJet. “We expect other airlines to follow our lead”.

He claimed the resort, on the Red Sea coast, could become an attractive alternative to the Canaries for European sunseekers, especially during the winter.

“What we’re looking to do in Israel is something much bigger”, he said, adding that he hopes for an Israeli version of Ryanair.

It means that Ryanair will now serve three continents – Europe, Africa and Asia.