Ben Gurion Airport Closes for Yom Kippur Holiday

Ben Gurion Airport has temporarily suspended all flights for 25 hours, with operations set to resume after the conclusion of Yom Kippur. The closure is part of a nationwide cessation of public transportation and services that begins on September 20th and ends on the evening of September 21st, coinciding with the Jewish Day of Atonement.

Public transport, including buses and trams, will halt before the start of the fast. While buses and trams will resume service shortly after Yom Kippur ends, the railway system will have a delayed restart. Trains will cease all movement after their final Sunday services and will not resume until the night of September 21st to 22nd, though night services will be included in the restart.

Passengers are advised to plan their travel in advance, as the departure times for the last services will vary by route. During Yom Kippur, nearly all activity in Israel ceases, including services that normally operate on Saturdays. This includes public transport, private vehicle movement, and airport operations. Television and radio broadcasts also stop.

Separately, the Israel Airports Authority has stated that private companies offering valet parking services near the airport are not affiliated with or authorized by the airport. The official valet parking service at Ben Gurion Airport is not currently provided. Previous reports highlighted infrastructure and economic weaknesses in Israel, exacerbated by transport issues at the airport and political disputes over spontaneous strikes, despite ongoing large-scale infrastructure projects.