Israel's Airports: How Many Are There?

Israel is a small country in the Middle East that attracts millions of tourists every year. It is often considered the centre of religious tourism, as it is home to sites considered holy by Christians, Muslims, and Jews. The country's airports play a crucial role in accommodating the influx of tourists and pilgrims, with three major international airports and several other domestic airports and airstrips.

Airports in Israel

Israel has 3 international airports

Israel has three international airports: Ben Gurion Airport, Ramon Airport, and Haifa Airport. Ben Gurion Airport, located in Tel Aviv, is the main international airport in Israel, serving as the primary gateway to the country. It is ranked among the top five airports in the Middle East and is known for its high-level security and excellent passenger facilities. Ramon Airport, the second-largest airport in Israel, serves as the primary diversion airport for Ben Gurion Airport. It is located in the southern part of the country, about 18 kilometres from Eilat, and is unofficially known as Eilat-Ramon Airport. The airport has a long runway of 3,600 metres and handles domestic operations for Tel Aviv and Haifa.

Haifa Airport, also known as U Michaeli Airport, is a small international airport that mainly handles air traffic to and from Tel Aviv and Eilat. The airport has a military base alongside its civilian terminal and is named after Uri Michealli, a pioneer in the Jewish aviation industry. It has a short runway of 1,318 metres, with plans to extend it by an additional 300 metres. While it is an international airport, most civilian air traffic at Haifa Airport is domestic.

In addition to these three major international airports, Israel also has several other airports, including unscheduled domestic airports and private airstrips. The unscheduled domestic airports, such as Herzliya and Mahanayim, are managed by the Israel Airports Authority but do not have any scheduled flights. There are about 14 other airstrips across Israel and the Golan Heights, primarily used for private flights, flight training, and emergency landings.

Ben Gurion Airport is the main airport

Israel has three international airports, with Ben Gurion Airport serving as the main airport in and out of the country. The airport is located 20km from Tel Aviv and 45km from Jerusalem. It is the busiest airport in Israel and is ranked among the top five airports in the Middle East.

Ben Gurion Airport is named after Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion. It was previously known as Lod Airport until 1973 when it was renamed. The airport is regarded as a key entry point into the country for most travellers. As it was Israel's only international airport for a while, it was seen as a single point of failure, which led to the opening of Ramon Airport in 2019.

Ben Gurion Airport is highly regarded for its security and passenger experience, consistently ranking as one of the best airports in the Middle East. It has a range of facilities, including VIP lounges, free Wi-Fi, duty-free stores, and a pharmacy. The airport also has a military airbase located on its eastern side.

The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. Terminal 3, which opened in 2004, is the main international gateway, featuring multiple levels and a star-shaped duty-free rotunda with various shops and restaurants. Terminal 1, which was closed in 2003, was later reopened in 2007 after extensive renovations to accommodate low-cost and charter flights.

In addition to Ben Gurion Airport, Ramon Airport serves as the second-largest airport in Israel and is the primary diversion airport for Ben Gurion Airport. Haifa Airport is another smaller international airport in the country, featuring a military base alongside its civilian terminal.

Ramon Airport is the second-largest airport

Israel is a small country in the Middle East that attracts many tourists and pilgrims every year. The country is home to several airports, including international airports, domestic airports, military bases, and private airstrips.

Ramon Airport, located in the southern part of Israel, is the second-largest airport in the country. It is unofficially known as Eilat-Ramon Airport as it is situated 18 km from Eilat. Ramon Airport serves as the primary diversion airport for Ben Gurion Airport, the largest airport in Israel. Ramon Airport has a long runway stretching up to 3,600 m, making it suitable for diversion purposes.

The airport was built in 1949, before the city of Eilat was developed around it. It is named after Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut, who tragically died in the Space Shuttle Columbia crash. Ramon Airport handles domestic operations for Tel Aviv and Haifa and is a significant entry point for tourists visiting Eilat and other parts of Israel.

In addition to its role as a diversion airport, Ramon Airport also contributes to the increasing tourism in Israel by handling a large number of passengers from around the world. The airport's facilities and infrastructure cater to the needs of diverse travellers, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience.

Ramon Airport is a vital transportation hub in Israel, providing essential aviation services to both domestic and international travellers. Its strategic location and capabilities make it a crucial asset for the country's aviation industry and contribute to its status as the second-largest airport in Israel.

Haifa Airport is a smaller international airport

Israel has three international airports, with Ben Gurion Airport being the main airport in and out of the country. Ramon Airport is the second largest airport and acts as the primary diversion airport for Ben Gurion Airport.

Haifa Airport mainly serves civilian flights, but it also has a military base alongside its civilian terminal. The airport is named after Uri Michaeli, a pioneer of Jewish aviation and one of the founders of aviation in Israel. It has a single runway, currently measuring 1,318 meters (4,324 ft) in length, with plans to extend it to 1,634 meters (5,361 ft) in the 2020s. This extension will involve significant infrastructure changes, including a tunnel for Julius Simon Road, which will pass underneath the expanded runway.

The airport has experienced fluctuations in passenger numbers and aircraft movements over the years. Between 1999 and 2007, passenger numbers decreased by 50%, and aircraft movements declined by 34% from 2002 to 2007. However, in 2007, there was a notable increase in passenger numbers and aircraft movements compared to the previous year, with a 25% and 7% rise, respectively.

Haifa Airport is accessible via Egged bus lines 18א and 100, connecting it to Haifa, Kiryat Ata, and the HaMifratz Central railway station. The closest train stations include HaMifratz Central, Hutzot HaMifratz, and Kiryat Haim. Parking is available at the airport, with approximately 100 free parking spaces, and baggage carts are provided free of charge.

There are 2 unscheduled domestic airports

Israel has two unscheduled domestic airports. These airports are managed by the Israel Airports Authority, but they have no scheduled flights.

The first of these is Herzliya Saba Airport, a domestic airport serving the Northern Tel-Aviv area. The second is Rosh-Pina Golda Airport, a domestic airport and reserve airbase serving the area around Kinneret Lake.

In addition to these two unscheduled domestic airports, there are about 14 other airstrips across Israel and the Golan Heights. These are mostly used privately or for flight training.

Israel also has three international airports: Ben Gurion Airport, Ramon Airport, and Haifa Airport. Ben Gurion Airport is the main international airport in Israel, serving Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It is located 20km south of Tel Aviv and 45km from Jerusalem. Ramon Airport is the second-largest airport and serves as the primary diversion airport for Ben Gurion Airport. Haifa Airport is a smaller international airport that also has a military base alongside its civilian terminal.

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