Israel Prepares for Record Holiday Travel at Ben Gurion Airport and Border Crossings

Israel's Airports Authority is bracing for exceptionally high passenger traffic during the upcoming Sukkot holiday, anticipating a surge that rivals peak summer travel. From the end of Yom Kippur on September 22nd through October 4th, an estimated 1.13 million travelers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport. Ramon Airport is projected to handle around 35,000 passengers, while Haifa Airport expects approximately 22,000.

Daily passenger numbers at Ben Gurion Airport are forecast to exceed 90,000 during Sukkot, with a peak of about 100,000 expected on October 1st. The most popular destinations for travelers during this period include Greece, Cyprus, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Germany, Georgia, and France. On Thursday, September 24th, the airport already saw a significant volume with 105,000 passengers on 614 flights.

Land border crossings are also preparing for a substantial influx, with an estimated 157,000 travelers expected. The Yitzhak Rabin crossing to Jordan anticipates 27,000 passengers, the Jordan River crossing 30,000, and the Allenby crossing 50,000. The Menachem Begin crossing to Taba is preparing for around 50,000 travelers.

To manage the expected congestion and minimize wait times, the Airports Authority has issued recommendations for travelers. It advises all individuals crossing by land to pre-pay their border crossing fees. For air travelers, the authority suggests checking departure terminals in advance, completing online check-in when possible, and staying updated on flight schedule changes directly with airlines. Additionally, reservists and security personnel are reminded to ensure no ammunition fragments are present in their luggage before flying.