Israel Prepares for Major Holiday Travel Surge at Ben Gurion Airport

Israel's Airports Authority has completed preparations for a significant increase in passenger traffic expected during the Sukkot holiday period. Despite the summer tourist season concluding, forecasts indicate that Ben Gurion Airport will handle a substantial volume of travelers, potentially setting new records. Between September 22, after Yom Kippur, and October 4, approximately 1.13 million passengers are projected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport, both arriving and departing.

Beyond Ben Gurion, Ramon Airport is expected to see around 35,000 passengers, and Haifa Airport approximately 22,000. Popular destinations during this time include Greece, Cyprus, Italy, the UAE, the United States, Germany, Georgia, and France. On Thursday, September 24, Ben Gurion Airport processed about 105,000 passengers across 614 flights, with an expectation of around 100,000 passengers on October 1. Daily figures during Sukkot are anticipated to exceed 90,000 people.

Land border crossings are also bracing for heavy traffic, with an estimated 157,000 passengers expected. The Menachem Begin crossing to Taba anticipates 50,000 people, the Yitzhak Rabin crossing in the Arava area around 27,000, the Allenby crossing to Jordan about 50,000, and the Jordan River crossing approximately 30,000.

To manage the expected congestion and reduce wait times, the Airports Authority has issued recommendations for travelers. Passengers using land crossings are urged to pay the border crossing fee in advance. Those flying are advised to confirm their departure terminal, check in online if possible, and maintain direct contact with airlines for any schedule changes.

A specific warning has been issued to reservists and security personnel, advising them to thoroughly check their luggage for any accidental inclusion of ammunition parts, which could cause issues during security checks.