Ben Gurion Airport Expands Terminal 3 with New Wing and 86 Check-In Counters

The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) has announced a tender for constructing a new wing at Terminal 3 of Ben Gurion Airport, marking a key phase in the terminal's expansion project. The new wing will cover approximately 63,000 square meters and feature 86 additional check-in counters, advanced baggage sorting systems, expanded retail and duty-free areas, and new dining options. This expansion aims to increase the airport's annual passenger capacity to around 40 million.

The new wing will be located on the eastern side of Terminal 3 and consist of two main structures: a 41,000-square-meter terminal extension spanning four floors with passenger halls, retail spaces, offices, and protected areas; and a 22,000-square-meter building dedicated to baggage screening and sorting, including operational spaces and technical rooms. Two new bridges will connect the new wing to the terminal’s multi-level bridge over the railway tracks.

The expansion has been underway for over a year, with earlier tenders issued in January 2025 for upgrading border control and security screening areas, creating a "Tel Aviv Gate" for bus passengers, and enlarging dining facilities. Transportation and Road Safety Minister Miri Regev emphasized the strategic importance of the project, citing the open skies policy and rising flight demand as drivers for continued investment in Israel’s aviation infrastructure.

IAA CEO Sharon Kadmi highlighted that the Terminal 3 expansion is part of a multi-year development plan involving billions of shekels to upgrade Ben Gurion Airport’s infrastructure and boost its capacity to 40 million passengers annually. The project is expected to improve passenger service quality, reduce wait times, and accommodate future growth in air travel demand.

Summary: The Israel Airports Authority is expanding Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion Airport with a new 63,000-square-meter wing featuring 86 new check-in counters and enhanced facilities, aiming to increase annual passenger capacity to 40 million. The project is part of a broader multi-year plan to upgrade the airport’s infrastructure and improve passenger experience amid rising flight demand.