An Israir passenger flight bound for Ljubljana was was forced to divert to Zagreb yesterday after Slovenian authorities denied it permission to land, triggering a sharp diplomatic dispute between Israel and Slovenia. Israir CEO Uri Sirkis confirmed that Flight 6H755 was redirected after Slovenian air traffic control refused it landing clearance, calling the move a “blatant violation” of international aviation agreements and EU open skies rules that guarantee equal access for airlines operating between member states.
Over the past few weeks, Israir had been unable to obtain a renewed operating permit from Slovenia’s outgoing Infrastructure Minister Alenka Bratušek, who revoked the airline’s already-issued seasonal permit, a reversal of her own position from 2025, when she had argued there was no legal basis to refuse the permit.
With Israir’s regular permit renewal caught up in political pressure from coalition partners and pro-Palestinian civil groups, Croatia’s Trade Air, which is Israir’s wet-lease partner, had stepped in to keep the Tel Aviv – Ljubljana ongoing, operating Ljubljana flights on Israir’s behalf since late May, exploiting the fact that, as an EU carrier, it required no separate Slovenian approval to fly the route. However, over the past few days, these flights have been cancelled as well.
Israel’s Transportation Minister, Miri Regev, described the diversion as an “invalid political decision” and warned that “anyone who tries to boycott us via aviation needs to understand that there will be consequences”. Israeli officials have raised concern that if political motives are permitted to override binding aviation agreements, other European governments may follow Slovenia’s lead.
Slovenia’s outgoing government has been one of Israel’s harshest critics in Europe. However, a new government is currently in the process of formation and is expected to take a markedly friendlier stance toward Israel. Israir carried 14.418 passengers on its seasonal Tel Aviv – Ljubljana service last year.