Data from the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) published today (Monday) indicates that approximately 3.7 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport in July and August - of which approximately 1.8 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport during July and approximately 1.9 million passengers in August.
The peak days during the summer months are expected to be Sundays and Thursdays, during which between 60 and 70 thousand passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport on more than 400 flights per day.
Israel Civil Aviation Authority data also shows that during the summer, approximately 50 international airlines are expected to operate at Ben Gurion Airport, in addition to Israeli companies, which are expected to fly to approximately 100 destinations.
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Popular destinations among Israeli vacationers are expected to be Greece, Cyprus, Italy, the USA and the United Arab Emirates.
The Airports Authority has approved all of the airlines' requests for flights during the summer season. Also, in light of the demand from international airlines to return to operations at Ben Gurion Airport, the Airports Authority is accelerating efforts to transform the airport into a digital airport and the construction of the additional screening complex to increase passenger capacity.
As part of the Airports Authority's preparations for the increase in passenger traffic on international flights, the activity of employees and managers at Ben Gurion Airport will be increased. In both terminals - Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 - there will be a full presence of managers, with an emphasis on peak days and hours.
A family patrol will operate at Ben Gurion Airport to make it easier for families with children when they go on summer vacation. The screening sector for the luxury classes of airlines (except El Al) will operate near Gate 01 on the ground level - G.
Over 4,000 flights to and from Greece
Airports Authority data indicates that Greece will top the list of destinations for vacationers abroad this year with about 80 aircraft movements per day. Cyprus is expected to be in second place in terms of flight volume with about 50 movements per day. In total, during the summer, there will be about 4,250 aircraft movements from Ben Gurion Airport to Greece and back. And about 2,100 aircraft movements from Ben Gurion Airport to Cyprus and back.
Peak days in the coming summer months are expected to be August 22nd with approximately 72,800 passengers passing through Ben Gurion Airport, and August 15th and 29th with approximately 72,600 passengers passing through the airport on each of the days.
The Airports Authority urges passengers to check in from home, arrive at the airport three hours before their flight, and make sure to check in from which terminal the flight departs. Kiosks for flight check-in and baggage tag issuance are located throughout the terminal for the participating airlines.
The use of kiosks will allow the bag to be sent to the airline's drop-off counters. Passengers without a bag will be able to go through a fast-track security check in sector W.
The Airports Authority also calls on passengers to carefully check their hand luggage and ensure that there are no items prohibited from flying in their hand luggage.
Minister of Transportation Miri Regev: "I am pleased that through joint efforts, together with the Airports Authority and Ben Gurion Airport management, we have succeeded in bringing dozens of international airlines back to operations in Israel. We are continuing our efforts to bring additional companies back to Ben Gurion Airport with the aim of offering Israelis a wide range of destinations and continued competition that will lead to lower flight prices for the public wishing to go abroad and refresh themselves.".
Ministry of Transportation Director General Moshe Ben-Zaken: "Under the guidance of Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, our main mission since the first day of the war has been to maintain functional continuity in all transportation channels, on land, at sea and in the air. In this regard, we are working to restore air traffic at Ben-Gurion Airport to regular operation, and are encouraging international airlines to return to full activity. At the same time, the minister instructed the Israel Civil Aviation Authority and Ben-Gurion Airport to strengthen the workforce and expand the variety of technological means that expedite and facilitate inspection processes, in order to reduce congestion during peak traffic days.
