With 2023 marking a decade since the Open Skies agreements and two years since the Abraham Accords, Ben Gurion Airport is likely to be the only international airport to probably surpass its all-time record numbers this year.
From the beginning of the year until the end of May, over 9.2 million passengers passed through Ben Gurion Airport, a growth of 9% compared to the record year of 2019. By the end of the year, Ben Gurion Airport is expected to surpass the peak number of passengers achieved in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, with around 25 million passengers in 2023.
The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) prepared for the increase by recruiting a significant number of employees, enhancing service to passengers, and increasing managerial presence. A “Family Expedited Lane” and airport staff will facilitate families with children passing through security checks and check-ins, with one representative of the family being able to check in for everyone.
Additional technological screening methods have been implemented in the security check hall to reduce waiting times, including a fast-track lane for passengers with hand baggage only, who have completed check-in online.
Self-service spots have been installed in the passenger hall, allowing the printing of tags for luggage and their direct speedy transfer to the aircraft by scanning the barcode on the suitcase, significantly shortening the check-in process.
During the busiest days, around 100,000 passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport, with around 600 flights, resulting in an average takeoff or landing every 2.5 minutes.
Despite all the talk, the lines at the airport are longer than ever, on Sunday they stretched out the door.
{Matzav.com Israel}
