Israel Airports Authority Denies Plans to Limit Flights Ahead of Elections

The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) has firmly denied claims that it intends to restrict charter flights in the days leading up to the upcoming elections. These allegations were raised by Knesset member Efrat Rayten, who expressed concerns that such limitations could hinder Israelis abroad from returning home to vote. In response, Sharon Kadmi, CEO of the IAA, sent an official letter to Rayten clarifying that flight scheduling and slot allocations at Ben Gurion Airport are conducted strictly according to international aviation rules and operational needs, without any political considerations.

Kadmi emphasized that the IAA operates under legal guidelines, security directives, and the operational requirements of civil aviation. The allocation of takeoff and landing slots is predetermined, transparent, and equitable among all airlines, based solely on aviation criteria. He assured that there is no interference or political influence in decisions related to flight schedules, including during the election period.

The letter also highlighted the IAA’s commitment to maintaining continuous civilian air traffic, balancing public needs, flight safety, and the airport’s operational capacity to ensure reliable service for all passengers. The clarification came amid public debate and calls from the Democratic Party urging the Transport Minister and aviation authorities to prevent any disruption to flight continuity ahead of the elections.