Due to the tense security situation in the Middle East, Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv will close its Terminal 1 to international flights from November 1 to March 23, 2025.
This decision by the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) comes after numerous major low-cost airlines, including EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air, suspended their flights to Israel due to the insecurity in the region. This measure not only poses a logistical challenge for airlines and passengers, but also highlights the economic impact of the regional conflict on Israeli aviation.
Low-cost airlines cease operations: A significant loss for Ben-Gurion
In June 2023, the airport reopened its Terminal 1 after a temporary security freeze last fall. The terminal, designed primarily for low-cost carriers, was a preferred choice for these operators due to its lower operating costs compared to the larger and more central Terminal 3. Low-cost carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air quickly established themselves as major international players at Ben-Gurion after resuming their services in the spring. With nearly 80 weekly flights to Tel Aviv by Wizz Air alone, the company was the fourth largest foreign airline at Ben-Gurion Airport by summer 2024.
The loss of these operators represents a significant limitation for Ben Gurion Airport, as passenger numbers at Terminal 1 have fallen to 20.000 per day. "This figure makes it impossible for us to operate Terminal 1 economically," an IAA spokesperson said in an official statement. In the meantime, all international flights will be consolidated in Terminal 3, while a limited number of domestic flights, particularly to Eilat, will continue to operate from Terminal 1.
Expansion of security measures: Influences on European and US aviation
In addition to shifting air traffic to Terminal 3, the IAA has adopted additional security guidelines. Many international airlines have suspended their services to Israel until further notice due to the current security situation, with European and US airspace particularly affected. The EU recently recommended its airlines to avoid Lebanese and Israeli airspace. Major American airlines such as Delta and American Airlines also suspended their services to Ben-Gurion, and these are not expected to resume until the 2025 summer season.
This decline in security is also having an economic impact on Israel's tourism economy. While last year saw a strong increase in tourism until the fall, there has been a noticeable decline in flight numbers as a result of recent geopolitical tensions. Since September 2024, the number of flights to Tel Aviv has fallen by over a third compared to the previous year, and the effects of this reduced flight frequency are already clearly being felt in the region.
Terminal 1: Review and Future Perspectives
The impending closure of Terminal 1 is not the first time that Ben-Gurion Airport operations have been restricted amid political tensions. In October 2023, a Hamas attack on Israeli settlements led to an immediate closure of the terminal to international flights. Shortly thereafter, international traffic was also moved to Terminal 3, before Terminal 1 reopened in May 2024, first for domestic flights and later for international traffic.
For operators such as Ryanair and Wizz Air, Terminal 1 plays a central role as its lower fees allow low-cost operators to access the Israeli market at affordable prices. Ryanair suspended its flights from Terminal 2024 to Tel Aviv in early 3 as operating costs compared to Terminal 1 were too high for the low-cost carrier. Ryanair only resumed operations after Terminal 1 reopened in June. With Terminal 1 now once again closed to international flights, Ryanair and Wizz Air's services will be completely paused until the reopening in March 2025.
A challenging season for Israel's aviation sector
The uncertain political situation is posing a number of new challenges for the Israeli aviation industry. The decline in international flights is affecting not only passenger traffic but also the financial stability of Ben Gurion Airport, which relies on revenue from international airlines. According to industry experts, the decision by low-cost airlines to suspend their flights will hit the Israeli tourism industry and business tourism hard, especially during the traditional high season at the beginning of the new year.
The resumption of flight operations in March will be accompanied by a comprehensive security and service management system. The IAA plans to implement increased security measures for international flight connections in order to create a more reliable and stable flight environment. In the long term, however, the question is whether the changed security situation in the Middle East will continue to deter international airlines or whether Terminal 1 can once again take on the role of an international hub for low-cost airlines in the medium term.
and 