Israir Flight Diverted After ‘Politically Motivated’ Slovenian Landing Ban

An Israir flight scheduled to land in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, was denied permission to land on Wednesday and diverted to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, according to the Israeli airline.

Israir said the decision was made by Slovenian authorities and accused them of acting out of political motives. The incident comes due to an unresolved dispute over Israir’s authorization to operate flights on the Tel Aviv–Ljubljana route, as Slovenia prepares for a change in government.

Israir CEO Uri Sirkis said the move violated aviation agreements and European Union law. According to Sirkis, Israeli authorities, including the Foreign Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority, were involved in efforts to find a solution that would allow the flight to proceed as planned, but the efforts were unsuccessful.

Slovenian media reported that the dispute is connected to Israir’s permit to operate regular flights between Tel Aviv and Ljubljana. Slovenia’s Infrastructure Ministry said Israir had previously received permission for the route from February 26 to October 25 last year, but that a new permit was still under review.

The ministry said it was examining whether approval would comply with current regulations and government decisions. Slovenian reporting also said flights on the route may continue through Croatia’s Trade Air while Israir’s own permit remains unresolved.

The incident drew a swift response from Slovenia’s incoming government. Jernej Vrtovec, the incoming infrastructure minister, said the matter would be addressed immediately after the new government takes control.

“We will resolve this on Friday morning. The director of aviation should prepare the letter,” Vrtovec wrote on X, which incoming Prime Minister Janez Janša reposted.

The blocked landing comes after a period of strained relations between Israel and Slovenia under the outgoing government. Slovenia recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 and later became one of the most hostile European countries toward Israel during the war, alongside countries such as Ireland and Spain.

In July 2025, Slovenia declared National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich persona non grata, accusing them of incitement against Palestinians. The move was described by Slovenian officials at the time as the first of its kind in the European Union.

Janez Janša, who returned as prime minister after Slovenia’s recent election, is considered far more supportive of Israel than his predecessor, Robert Golob. His government is expected to take control of the aviation issue on Friday, when Vrtovec said the decision would be reversed.

For now, it remains unclear whether Israir’s direct flights to Ljubljana will be fully restored or whether the route will continue through an alternate operating arrangement. Israeli officials and Israir are expected to watch Friday’s decision closely after what the airline described as an unlawful and politically motivated move against an Israeli carrier.