Ben Gurion Airport Update: Flight Frequency Doubles and Passenger Caps Ease Amid Ongoing Restrictions

Following a situational assessment conducted by Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, the Ministry has announced a gradual easing of operational limits at Ben Gurion Airport. While the airport remains under significant security-related constraints, these new adjustments aim to increase the flow of passengers during the busy Pesach season.

Increased Capacity and Flight Frequency

Effective immediately, the Ministry has approved a rise in both the number of passengers per flight and the frequency of departures:

• Passenger Caps: The maximum number of passengers allowed on each departing aircraft has been increased from 80 to 100 passengers.

• Flight Frequency: Authorized departures have doubled. Starting this weekend, Ben Gurion Airport will transition from one departure per hour to two departures per hour.

El Al Status and Flight Suspensions

Despite the easing of airport-wide caps, El Al has confirmed that its regular flight schedule remains suspended through April 18, 2026.

Due to the current aviation restrictions, outbound commercial flights are not operating as usual, and even humanitarian flights have been temporarily halted. In their place, a very limited number of "controlled flights" are operating from specific international hubs.

Important for Travelers:

• Prioritization: Seats on these limited flights are being assigned based on strict criteria, with priority given to medical and humanitarian cases.

• Passenger Caps: These controlled flights continue to operate under strict passenger limits, despite the general airport cap increase.

Refunds and Cancellations

For those whose travel plans have been disrupted by the current situation, the following policies are in effect:

• Eligibility: Passengers who purchased tickets on or before February 28 for travel scheduled through April 18 are entitled to a full refund or future travel credit.

• How to Claim: If you booked directly through El Al, you can manage your cancellation via their website. If you booked through a travel agent, you must contact them directly to process your compensation.

⚠️ Accuracy Note for Travelers

As of today, Sunday, April 5 (Chol Hamoed Pesach), the situation at Ben Gurion Airport remains fluid. While the increase to 100 passengers and two flights per hour is a positive trend, the overall volume of traffic is still significantly lower than standard holiday levels.

Travelers are strongly advised to check the status of their specific flight and the Home Front Command guidelines before heading to the airport.