TEL AVIV— National carrier EL AL Israel Airlines (LY) has urged the Israeli government to block Hungarian airline Wizz Air (W6) from opening a new base at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), citing concerns over national security and the resilience of Israel’s aviation sector.
The planned expansion by Wizz Air comes at a time when EL AL is posting record profits but also facing criticism for high fares during wartime. While competition could bring lower ticket prices for travelers, EL AL argues that the move could weaken Israel’s strategic air connectivity.
Photo: By Davidi Vardi Pikiwiki Israel, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113420866EL AL Opposes Wizz Air Israel Base
Wizz Air (W6), one of Europe’s largest ultra-low-cost carriers, is seeking to establish a permanent base in Tel Aviv (TLV) to increase flight frequencies and reduce fares on routes to and from Israel. This proposal aligns with Wizz Air’s broader strategy of identifying profitable new bases to strengthen its regional footprint.
However, EL AL’s CEO, Dina Ben Tal Ganancia, has formally opposed the plan in a letter to Israeli authorities.
She warns that granting such access to Wizz Air poses “a risk of substantial harm to Israeli airlines in particular and to the State of Israel in general,” claiming it could undermine “national resilience” and jeopardize passenger safety.
EL AL’s position centers on the belief that Israeli carriers provide a critical “air bridge” during emergencies, maintaining connections when foreign airlines suspend operations.
The airline argues that foreign competitors lack the security measures—such as missile defense systems and heightened onboard protocols—that EL AL operates with daily.
Photo: By tjdarmstadt – IMG_9636.jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61529963Security and Market Dynamics
Since the outbreak of conflict in October 2023, EL AL has remained the only airline to operate regular international flights from Israel, aided by its security-equipped fleet.
The airline’s operational resilience has helped it capture strong demand: in 2024, it reported an average load factor of 94% and a 24% year-over-year increase in revenue per available seat mile.
Despite this, EL AL’s cost structure is inherently higher. It adheres to the Sabbath rest period, grounding all flights once a week, and maintains a security operation far more extensive than industry norms.
The carrier argues that these unique conditions make it harder to compete with low-cost carriers that operate with leaner schedules and minimal security overhead.
Critics counter that many foreign airlines already serve Israel without EL AL’s specific security measures, and passengers should be free to choose between a lower-cost ticket and EL AL’s premium, security-oriented service.
Photo: By Martin Oertle – El Al Israel Airlines Boeing 737-858 4X-EKA, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58303303The Policy Question
At the heart of the dispute is whether EL AL should be treated as a strategic extension of Israel’s national infrastructure or as a privately run airline competing in a free market.
Allowing Wizz Air to open a base could boost competition, potentially reducing fares and increasing travel options for passengers. On the other hand, EL AL maintains that foreign carriers might abandon Israel in times of crisis, leaving the nation without reliable air links.
The government’s decision will likely set a precedent for how Israel balances open-market competition with safeguarding its aviation resilience during geopolitical instability.
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