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Israeli credit card spending on flights with local airlines reached a record $145.7 million in May 2025, representing a 21% increase from May 2024.
By Shula Rosen
Security concerns in recent months have caused Israeli airlines to break revenue records, according to data from Shva, Israel’s national payment infrastructure provider.
Israeli credit card spending on flights with local airlines reached a record $145.7 million in May 2025, representing a 21% increase from May 2024.
Israeli airline revenues in May 2024 also reached a record high of $120 million at that time.
Far from damaging the profits of Israeli airlines, the Houthi attack on Ben Gurion Airport in early May and the ongoing security concerns during the Gaza war have compelled Israeli customers to choose local airlines for travel, as foreign carriers have been canceling their services.
Although seasonal fluctuations may partly account for the higher revenue, the cause-and-effect relationship between heightened security, cancellations by foreign providers, and increased ticket purchases with Israeli airlines is apparent.
Shva’s figures include only airlines that process transactions within Israel. This covers the four domestic carriers—El Al, Arkia, Israir, and Air Haifa—as well as two foreign airlines with Israeli ownership: TUS, based in Cyprus, and Greece’s Blue Bird.
The data doesn’t include flights booked with Israeli companies using non-Israeli credit cards, which indicates that revenues might have been even higher than recorded.
Although Israeli hotels were hit hard by the pandemic followed by the war in Gaza and Lebanon, they are showing signs of a robust recovery. Israeli credit card spending on hotel accommodations increased 47% year-over-year to $242.4 million.
The cancellation of overseas trips due to the security situation in favor of “staycations” partly accounted for the rise in Israeli hotel revenue.
Another factor that may have caused a bounce was the issuance of credit card vouchers for accommodation to reservists in April.
Approximately $13.5 million—roughly 5.5% of all hotel credit card spending in May—was involved in these vouchers. Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too! Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion. Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
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