After a particularly intense August and a recent strike that disrupted schedules, and during which roughly 2.65 million travelers passed through Ben Gurion Airport, the upcoming holiday season is set to bring another massive surge in passenger traffic. The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) projects that more than 3 million passengers will pass through its facilities during September and the High Holy Days, including approximately 2.5 million through Ben Gurion Airport alone.
The IAA has finalized its preparations for the holiday rush. Operational measures include reinforcing staff across Ben Gurion Airport and land border crossings, alongside an increased managerial presence in the terminals throughout the period. According to IAA data, August closed with exceptionally high volume, recording about 2.65 million travelers at Israel's primary international hub.
Peak travel days are expected on September 10, September 17, September 22, and September 25. On each of these dates, roughly 100,000 passengers are projected to travel through Ben Gurion Airport aboard approximately 600 daily flights.
The first major peak will occur just ahead of Rosh Hashanah eve on September 10, when over 100,000 international travelers are expected to pass through the airport. Passengers flying on that date should prepare for heavy congestion and are advised to arrive early, strictly adhering to airline guidelines.
Where are Israelis flying?
The top destinations during the High Holy Days are expected to be Greece, Cyprus, the United States, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates - a familiar blend of quick Mediterranean getaways and long-haul routes popular among Israeli holidaymakers.
In addition to scheduled commercial flights, the period will see concentrated activity surrounding the annual pilgrimage to Uman. Dedicated flights for travelers bound for Ukraine will begin on September 6 and continue through September 17.
Heavy passenger volume will extend beyond Ben Gurion Airport. Ramon Airport expects roughly 81,000 passengers during the upcoming holiday season, while Haifa Airport is slated to handle around 60,000 travelers. Land border crossings will similarly experience heavy traffic, with approximately 500,000 people projected to cross into Jordan and the Sinai Peninsula during September and the holidays. Specifically, about 190,000 travelers are expected at the Yitzhak Rabin Crossing in the Arava, 153,000 at the Allenby Bridge Crossing, 100,000 at the Menachem Begin Crossing, and 55,000 at the Jordan River Crossing.
How to prepare for the congestion
To minimize delays, the Israel Airports Authority advises passengers to take several proactive steps prior to departure. Travelers should verify their departure terminal from home and complete online check-in in advance.
Passengers checking luggage can expedite the process by printing their own bag tags at self-service kiosks in the terminal. Meanwhile, those traveling with hand luggage only who have already checked in online can take advantage of the dedicated express lane in Sector W across both Terminals 1 and 3.
Finally, the IAA reminds travelers departing after military reserve duty or active service in the security forces to thoroughly inspect all personal bags before arriving at the airport to ensure no weapons, ammunition, or stray military gear were inadvertently left inside.