Budget airline Jet2 will stop running its Manchester to Israel route later this year.

The company began low-cost flights to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport almost four years ago.

It announced this week that the "difficult decision" had been taken to remove the route, but would not give a further explanation.

Jet2 has faced fierce competition from easyJet, which launched flights to Israel from Manchester a year ago. Ryanair has long been rumoured to be planning to start its own route to Tel Aviv.

The final Jet2 flight from the north west will be on November 4.

A Jet2.com spokesman said: "We are notifying passengers in advance to allow alternative travel arrangements to be made.
"Passengers who have already booked will be given a full refund.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

Both EasyJet and Jet2 have two flights a week to Tel Aviv, on Mondays and Thursdays.