More than 3 million passengers are expected to pass through Israel’s airports and land border crossings during September and the Tishrei Yom Tov season, with Ben Gurion Airport alone preparing to handle approximately 2.5 million travelers during what is expected to be one of the busiest holiday travel periods on record.
The Israel Airports Authority has completed extensive preparations for the surge, including significant increases in staffing at Ben Gurion Airport and the country’s land crossings. Additional managers will also be stationed throughout the terminals during the busiest portions of the holiday season.
According to Airports Authority projections, approximately 2.5 million passengers will travel through Ben Gurion Airport, while Ramon Airport is expected to handle roughly 81,000 passengers and Haifa Airport another 60,000. An additional 500,000 travelers are projected to use Israel’s land crossings with Sinai and Jordan.
The anticipated volume continues a sharp rise in passenger traffic. Approximately 2.65 million passengers traveled through Ben Gurion Airport during August, and the Airports Authority has expanded its workforce to accommodate the heavy traffic expected throughout September.
Special flights carrying travelers to Uman ahead of Rosh Hashanah are scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 6, and continue through Thursday, September 17.
The busiest travel days during the Tishrei period are expected to be September 10, September 17, September 22 and September 25. On those peak days, Ben Gurion Airport is preparing to accommodate approximately 100,000 passengers and some 600 flights each day.
More than 100,000 international passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport on September 10 ahead of Rosh Hashanah. The most popular destinations during the Tishrei season are expected to include Greece, Cyprus, the United States, Italy and the United Arab Emirates.
Israel’s land border crossings are also preparing for approximately half a million passengers during September and the Tishrei Yomim Tovim. The Yitzhak Rabin crossing in the Arava is expected to handle approximately 190,000 travelers, while some 153,000 are projected to use the Allenby crossing. Approximately 100,000 passengers are expected at the Menachem Begin crossing, with another 55,000 at the Jordan River crossing.
Ahead of the anticipated congestion, the Airports Authority issued several recommendations aimed at helping passengers move through the airports more efficiently. Travelers are advised to confirm in advance which terminal their flight will depart from, complete check-in before arriving at the airport, and print their luggage tags at self-service stations.
Passengers traveling exclusively with carry-on luggage who have already checked in independently are encouraged to use the expedited route in Sector W at Terminals 1 and 3. The Airports Authority also issued a special reminder to IDF reservists and members of the security forces to carefully inspect their bags before traveling to ensure that ammunition or ammunition components have not inadvertently been left inside.
“At the Israel Airports Authority and throughout all of the Authority’s facilities, we are working around the clock to ensure that every passenger’s experience is safe, efficient and pleasant. The joint efforts of all parties are reflected in the professional and comprehensive preparations we are carrying out, including preparations and reinforcements at all Israel Airports Authority facilities,” the Airports Authority said.
