Construction Begins on New Tze'eleq Airport Expected to Serve 10 Million Passengers Annually

The construction of the new Tze'eleq Airport has officially commenced, with its terminals expected to open by early 2028, according to a report by Kan News on Monday evening. The project is progressing faster than the competing Ramat David Airport plan, raising the possibility that the northern airport project could be canceled. However, some involved in the Ramat David project suggest both airports might eventually be built, though others doubt this due to the multi-billion shekel investment required and strong local opposition.

Last Thursday, Ben Gurion Airport set a new passenger record since the start of the "Lion's Roar" conflict, handling approximately 85,000 travelers in one day. The Israel Airports Authority anticipates this record will be broken again soon. In the current month alone, about 2.3 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion, despite more than half of foreign airlines not yet resuming flights to Israel.

In 2019, before the war and the COVID-19 pandemic, Ben Gurion Airport served around 24 million passengers annually. Projections estimate that by 2040, passenger traffic will reach approximately 40 million per year, underscoring the need for a secondary airport in Israel. The new Tze'eleq Airport is designed to accommodate up to 10 million passengers annually, addressing future demand and relieving pressure on Ben Gurion Airport.