Ben Gurion Airport Nears Capacity, Israel Faces Urgent Need for New Airport

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) is experiencing unprecedented summer congestion, with disruptions becoming routine for travelers. September alone is projected to see approximately 2.5 million passengers, nearing the airport's maximum capacity. This current surge may foreshadow a larger challenge: the need for an additional airport.

According to Ministry of Finance forecasts, passenger traffic at TLV is expected to reach its capacity limit within 8 to 9 years. By 2035, projections estimate 40 million passengers annually, the maximum TLV can handle. The issue of a supplementary airport has been discussed since the 1970s, with multiple government decisions made but no concrete action taken.

A 2014 government decision aimed to establish a privately operated complementary airport. In 2017, experts recommended Ramat David in the Jezreel Valley, but faced strong local opposition. In 2021, the then-Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli canceled the Ramat David plan, returning the issue for review. In February, the government approved advancing both the Tzkelag and Ramat David sites, but necessary legislation was separated from a broader economic bill due to opposition from airport authority workers.

The delay in establishing a new airport is already impacting flight prices. Over the past two and a half years, airfares have increased significantly: Paris flights are up 47%, Dubai by 51%, and New York by 33%. As TLV approaches its capacity limit, further congestion and price hikes are anticipated. Even starting construction now would take years, indicating Israel is already behind schedule.