Ryanair’s attempt to strong-arm the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) over slot allocations at Ben Gurion Airport has backfired. After CEO Eddie Wilson demanded the reinstatement of “historic” slots or threatened to cancel all Israel flights, the IAA firmly rejected the ultimatum, stressing that Ryanair is treated under the same international 80/20 rules as every other carrier.
While Ryanair complains, rivals are stepping in. Wizz Air has quietly turned Tel Aviv into a hub, adding routes and capturing market share Ryanair abandoned. Legacy carriers like British Airways and American Airlines have also adjusted without theatrics, proving that Israel’s aviation market is resilient.
Ryanair’s move fits its wider pattern—manipulating slot rules much like it manipulates luggage policies, luring customers with cheap fares only to squeeze them with hidden charges. Its threats carry little weight in Israel, where regulators refuse to yield.
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