Haifa Airport: Does It Exist And Where?

is there an airport in haifa

Haifa Airport (HFA) is an international airport located in Haifa, Israel. The airport, also known as Uri Michaeli Airport, was established in 1934 and is named after one of the pioneers of Jewish aviation and founders of aviation in Israel. It is served by several bus lines and highways, with parking available on-site. The airport has undergone continuous development since 2016, with plans for further expansion in the future.

Characteristics Values
Name Uri Michaeli Haifa International Airport
Location East of Haifa, Israel
Runway Length 1,318 metres (4,324 ft)
Runway Extension Plan 1,634 m (5,361 ft)
Previous Names RAF Haifa, Haifa Aerodrome
Year Established 1934
Terminals 1
Runways 2 (1 in use)
Bus Connections 18א, 100
Nearby Train Stations HaMifratz Central Railway Station, Hutzot HaMifratz, Kiryat Haim
Parking Available, free of charge

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Haifa Airport's history

Haifa Airport, also known as Uri Michaeli Airport, is an international airport in Haifa, Israel. It was established by the British Mandate in 1934 as the first international airport in Mandatory Palestine, at the location of RAF Haifa, which served the British Army and the Iraqi-British oil company, APS.

RAF Haifa was a Royal Air Force station in Mandatory Palestine between 1918 and 1948. The airport began offering passenger services in 1931, with flights to Alexandria, and in 1932, it added flights to Baghdad, operated by Imperial Airways. In 1936, Misr Airwork began offering passenger services to Beirut and Cyprus, and in 1937, Palestine Airways and Ala Littoria joined, offering regular services to several destinations. In 1938, a third of all flights into Mandatory Palestine landed in Haifa. However, civil flights were halted in 1940 due to World War II, during which the airport served the RAF's operations in the Middle East.

The RAF station closed in 1948, and the airport reopened for passenger traffic the same year, with flights operated by Cyprus Airways. In 1958, Arkia Israel Airlines began operating flights from the airport. In 1998, a new terminal was opened to cater to the services needed in a modern international airport.

In 2001, there were discussions about expanding the airport to bring it to an international standard, with the Israeli airline Air Haifa, based in Haifa Airport, operating flights to Athens, Eilat, and Larnaca since December 2024. The Israel Airports Authority plans to extend the runway to 1,634 meters (5,361 feet) sometime in the 2020s, which will involve extending the runway northward, across Julius Simon Road.

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Runway and terminal expansion plans

Uri Michaeli Haifa International Airport, also known as Haifa Airport, is located in Haifa, Israel. The airport was established in 1934 by the British Mandate as the first international airport in the region. It has one short runway, currently 1,318 metres (4,324 ft) in length, and there are plans to extend it by 316 metres (1,037 ft) to a length of 1,634 m (5,361 ft) sometime in the 2020s. This extension will involve expanding the runway northwards, across Julius Simon Road, which will then pass through a tunnel underneath.

In 1998, a new terminal was opened at the airport to cater to the services needed in a modern international airport. However, there has been a decline in passenger numbers and aircraft movements since the peak of its operations in 1999. In 2001, the Finance Minister, Silvan Shalom, proposed an 800 million NIS upgrade to bring the airport to an international standard. This proposal was made to address the decrease in aircraft movements and passenger numbers.

In 2007, there was a slight recovery, with a 25% increase in passenger numbers and a 7% increase in aircraft movements compared to the previous year. However, overall, between 1999 and 2007, passenger numbers decreased by 50%, and aircraft movements decreased by 34% from 2002 to 2007.

Haifa Airport has undergone recent renovation work, including resurfacing and reinforcing the runway, updating lighting fixtures, and re-marking the runway. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved the runway for operation, and Israeli airline AirHaifa plans to launch flights from Haifa Airport to various destinations.

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Airlines and destinations

Yes, there is an airport in Haifa, Israel. The airport is called Uri Michaeli Haifa International Airport (IATA: HFA, ICAO: LLHA). It is located to the east of the city, close to Kishon Port and Israel Shipyards. The airport mainly serves civilian flights, with some military usage. The airport is named after Uri Michaeli, one of the pioneers of Jewish aviation and a founder of aviation in Israel.

Haifa Airport has been serving passengers since 1948, when it reopened for civilian flights after serving as a Royal Air Force station between 1918 and 1948. The airport's first passenger flights were operated by Cyprus Airways, followed by Arkia Israel Airlines in 1958.

Currently, the Israeli airline Air Haifa is based at Haifa Airport and offers flights to Athens, Eilat, and Larnaca.

For those travelling from the United States, there are flights to Haifa available on Air Europa, with prices starting from $244 for flights from New York, Miami, or Newark. KAYAK, an online flight search engine, provides reviews of airlines operating this route, allowing passengers to choose based on factors such as comfort, boarding process, and in-flight entertainment.

Additionally, Expedia offers flights to Haifa with prices starting from $109 for one-way trips and $220 for round trips. They recommend booking during off-peak seasons, such as January and November, to find the lowest rates.

It is worth noting that Haifa Airport currently has only one runway in use, with plans to extend it in the 2020s to accommodate more flights and passengers.

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Transport to and from the airport

Yes, there is an airport in Haifa, Israel. Uri Michaeli Haifa International Airport, also known as Haifa Airport, is located to the east of the city, close to Kishon Port and Israel Shipyards. The airport mainly serves civilian flights, but it also has some military usage.

There are several transport options for getting to and from Uri Michaeli Haifa International Airport. Here are some of the most common methods:

By Bus

The airport is served by Egged bus lines. Bus line 18א connects the airport with Haifa and Kiryat Ata, while bus line 100 connects the airport with HaMifratz Central railway station and the Haifa Bay central bus station. The closest train stations to the airport are HaMifratz Central railway station, Hutzot HaMifratz, and Kiryat Haim. So, you can take a train to one of these stations and then take bus line 100 to the airport.

By Car

The airport is easily accessible by car from several highways, including Highway 4, the Haifa-Tel Aviv highway, and Highway 22. If you are coming from the north or south on Highway 22 (the Bay Highway), exit at Yadin Interchange and follow the signs to Haifa Airport. If you are coming from the Carmel Tunnels, continue straight at the exit and follow the signs to the airport. There is a fenced parking lot available in front of the airport building, with about 100 free parking spaces. Vehicles can be parked on a temporary basis for a few days.

By Taxi

Taxis are also an option for getting to and from the airport. The taxi stand is located outside the terminal, next to the luggage carts.

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Prohibited items

Yes, there is an airport in Haifa, Israel. Uri Michaeli Haifa International Airport, also known as Haifa Airport or Haifa Aerodrome, was established in 1934 and is located to the east of the city. The airport mainly serves civilian flights, with some military usage.

When travelling through Uri Michaeli Haifa International Airport, there are several prohibited items that you should not carry in your hand luggage or checked baggage. Here is a detailed list of items that are prohibited for your safety and compliance with airport regulations:

  • Sharp objects: Any sharp items, including pocket knives, scissors, or knives, are prohibited in hand luggage. These items must be packed in your checked baggage only. If found during the security check, such items will be confiscated.
  • Weapons: It is strictly prohibited to carry personal weapons, such as firearms, in either your hand luggage or checked baggage.
  • Tear gas and gas containers: Carrying tear gas or any other type of gas container is prohibited in both hand luggage and checked baggage.
  • Other prohibited items: Certain items may be restricted or prohibited, depending on the airline's specific guidelines. These can include liquids, gels, or aerosols that exceed a certain volume, as well as certain electronic devices. Always check with your airline or the airport's official website for a comprehensive list of prohibited items before packing your luggage.

Remember to carefully pack your luggage, following the guidelines provided by the airport and your airline. This will ensure a smoother travel experience and help you avoid any issues during security checks at Uri Michaeli Haifa International Airport.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the Haifa Airport (Hebrew: נמל התעופה חיפה) is an international airport located in Haifa, Israel.

The airport is located to the east of the city, close to Kishon Port and Israel Shipyards. It is accessible via Highway 4, the Haifa-Tel Aviv highway, and Highway 22.

The airport is served by Egged bus lines 18א and 100, connecting it to Haifa, Kiryat Ata, and the HaMifratz Central railway station. It can also be reached by private vehicle or taxi.

The airport's operating hours vary depending on the day of the week:

- Sundays and Thursdays: 6:15 AM to 10:15 PM

- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays: 6:15 AM to 8:15 PM

- Fridays and holiday eves: 5:30 AM to 7:15 PM

- Rosh Hashanah Eve and Passover Eve: Closes at 6:00 PM

- Yom Kippur Eve: Closes at 2:00 PM and reopens the next day at 6:15 AM

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