The intermediate days of Sukkot are expected to be especially busy at Ben Gurion Airport, with over one million passengers passing through during the holiday period. The Israel Airports Authority has completed preparations for the anticipated surge in passenger traffic, which will also be felt at Haifa Airport, Ramon Airport, and land border crossings.
2+From Tuesday, September 22, after Yom Kippur ended, through Sunday, October 4, approximately 1.13 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion on incoming and outgoing flights. The main destinations Israelis are expected to fly to during this period are Greece, Cyprus, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Germany, Georgia, and France.
Congestion is expected to peak in the coming days. Today, September 24, approximately 105,000 passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion on 614 flights. On Thursday, October 1, approximately 100,000 additional passengers are expected to pass through the airport, and throughout the entire Sukkot holiday, more than 90,000 passengers per day are expected at Ben Gurion.
The other airports are also expecting significant traffic. At Ramon Airport, approximately 35,000 passengers are expected to pass through during the period, and at Haifa Airport, approximately 22,000 passengers are expected.
2+Congestion is also expected at land border crossings, where approximately 157,000 passengers are expected to pass through during the holiday. At the Taba crossing in the Eilat area, they’re preparing for approximately 50,000 passengers; at the Arava crossing, approximately 27,000 are expected to pass through; at Allenby Bridge, approximately 50,000; and at the Jordan River crossing, approximately 30,000 passengers. The Airports Authority recommends that passengers at border crossings pay the passenger fee in advance to avoid unnecessary delays at the crossing.
Travelers heading abroad also have a few things worth checking before arriving at the airport. The authority recommends confirming in advance which terminal the flight departs from, checking in from home, and printing baggage tags at self-service stations.
Passengers flying with carry-on luggage only who have completed self-check-in can use the fast track in Sector W at Terminals 1 and 3. In addition, the authority asks passengers to check with airlines for any changes to flight schedules before leaving for the airport.
2+Another directive is aimed at reservists and security personnel: the authority asks them to verify carefully before arriving for their flight that no ammunition parts or other items that could cause delays or prevent boarding have been left in bags.
The Airports Authority emphasizes that operational and service systems are prepared for the expected activity levels during the holiday, and asks the public to prepare in advance, stay updated with official information, and follow the instructions of teams at airports and border crossings.