Flight prices for the Tishrei holidays are falling, but not to all destinations and not for long
Flight prices for the Tishrei holidays remain relatively low as more Israelis book closer to departure dates. However, as the holidays approach, prices for popular destinations are starting to rise.
Flight ticket prices this summer remained high relative to the levels Israeli passengers were accustomed to before the "Iron Swords" war, though they are similar to the price levels recorded since the outbreak of the war. Intermittent airspace closures, security uncertainty, and reduced operations by foreign airlines have kept flight prices elevated throughout this period. However, the decline in the dollar exchange rate has helped moderate price increases.
Added to this is another phenomenon: more and more Israelis are avoiding booking vacations months in advance, preferring to book flights closer to the departure date. As a result, tickets for the Tishrei holidays, which are usually sold out by early summer, are still being offered at relatively low prices. For some destinations, this represents a decrease of up to 58% compared to last year's Rosh Hashanah. However, as the holidays approach, and especially towards Sukkot, prices are starting to rise, and popular destinations like Berlin and Tbilisi are already seeing price hikes.
Data from the website lastminute.co.il shows that almost all nearby destinations are showing significant price decreases compared to last year. For Rosh Hashanah, the sharpest decline was recorded in Larnaca, with a 58% discount. It is followed by Rome with a 57% decrease, Budapest and Prague with 46%, Rhodes with 42%, and Athens with a 38% decrease.
By Yom Kippur and Sukkot, the picture changes. Alongside price decreases in classic European destinations, routes with limited direct flight availability are starting to become more expensive. For example, the average price for a flight to Dubai has risen by 21%. The most significant discount for Yom Kippur is on flights to Rome, with a decrease of about 50% in the average price. It is followed by Thessaloniki with a 38% decrease, Budapest with about 35%, and Montenegro with about 25%. On the other hand, Rhodes recorded an increase of about 4%.
By Sukkot, a moderation in the downward price trend is already evident. Larnaca still leads with a decrease of about 33%, followed by Batumi with 22%, Paphos with about 13%, Rome with 12%, and Budapest with 11%. At the same time, prices for some popular destinations have already risen: Tbilisi became 38% more expensive, Berlin by 18%, and London by 4%.
According to Asaf Greenberg, VP of Marketing at lastminute.co.il:
"There is a window of opportunity for booking vacations for the Tishrei holidays. This is a period when demand is concentrated on a limited number of departure and return days. As the holidays approach and the number of flight options decreases, prices may rise. The strengthening of the shekel works in favor of the consumer. The dollar exchange rate is about 9% lower than in July of last year, so the price decreases translate into even greater savings in shekel terms."
