Owais Crawford
Jerusalem is a city steeped in history and culture, home to many significant religious sites. With its diverse attractions, Jerusalem draws tourists from all over the world. However, there is no airport in Jerusalem, and the closest international airport to the city is Ben Gurion Airport, located near Lod, which is about a half-hour drive from Tel Aviv and 35 minutes from Jerusalem. This airport is Israel's main hub for international travel, offering flights to and from major cities worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Jerusalem International Airport |
| Airport codes | IATA: JRS, ICAO: LLJR, OJJR |
| Location | Jerusalem, Israel |
| Operational status | Non-operational |
| Year opened | 1925 |
| History | Under British Mandate until 1948, then occupied by Jordan until 1967; subsequently under Israeli control until its closure |
| Reasons for closure | Security issues during the Second Intifada |
| Year closed | 2000-2001 |
| Current use | Formally handed over to the Israel Defense Forces |
| Redevelopment plans | Israel shelved plans in 2021 due to pressure from the US Biden administration |
| Alternative airports for Jerusalem | Ben Gurion Airport, Ramon Airport, Haifa Airport, Tel Aviv Airport, Eilat's Uvda Airport |
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What You'll Learn
- Jerusalem International Airport existed and was operational from 1925 until 2000
- The airport was under Jordanian control from 1948 to 1967
- In 2001, the airport was handed over to the Israel Defense Forces
- There are no airports in Jerusalem, the closest one is Ben Gurion Airport
- Ben Gurion Airport is considered to have the best security facilities for travellers
Jerusalem International Airport existed and was operational from 1925 until 2000
Jerusalem International Airport was a regional airport located in the city of Jerusalem. When it first opened in 1925, it was the first airport in the British Mandate for Palestine. Under the British Mandate, Cyprus Airways flew to the airport, and this continued even after Cyprus gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960.
Following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the airport was occupied by Jordan, along with the rest of the West Bank, and in 1950, it became part of Jordan's annexation of the West Bank. Between 1948 and 1967, Royal Jordanian Airlines and Middle East Airlines from Lebanon operated daily commercial flights to and from the airport.
In 1967, Israel won the Six-Day War and began its military occupation of all previously Jordanian-annexed territory, including the Jerusalem airport. From 1948 until the Six-Day War in June 1967, the airport was under Jordanian control and designated OJJR. Following the war, the airport was incorporated into the Jerusalem city municipal area and was redesignated LLJR.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Israel invested heavily in upgrading the airport's infrastructure to make it a full-fledged international airport. However, international aviation authorities would not allow international flights to land there due to the airport being located in lands captured by Israel in 1967. As a result, the airport was limited to domestic and charter flights.
Due to security concerns during the Second Intifada, the airport was closed to civilian air traffic in October 2000. By July 2001, the site was formally handed over to the Israel Defense Forces, bringing an end to the airport's operations.
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The airport was under Jordanian control from 1948 to 1967
Jerusalem International Airport, which opened in 1925, was the first airport in the British Mandate for Palestine. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the airport came under Jordanian control along with the rest of the West Bank. During this time, the airport was designated OJJR, and Royal Jordanian Airlines, along with Middle East Airlines from Lebanon, operated daily commercial flights to and from the airport.
In 1950, the airport became part of Jordan's annexation of the West Bank. However, this changed in 1967 when Israel won the Six-Day War and began its military occupation of previously Jordanian-controlled territories, including the Jerusalem airport. Following the war, the airport was incorporated into the Jerusalem city municipal area and was redesignated LLJR.
Despite efforts by Israel in the 1970s and 1980s to upgrade the airport and establish it as a full-fledged international airport, international aviation authorities refused to allow international flights to land there due to the airport's location in lands captured by Israel in 1967. As a result, the airport was primarily used for domestic and charter flights until security issues during the Second Intifada led to its closure to civilian air traffic in 2000.
In 2001, the airport was formally handed over to the Israel Defense Forces. Today, there are no airports in Jerusalem, and those wishing to fly to Jerusalem typically fly into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport and then travel by land to Jerusalem.
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In 2001, the airport was handed over to the Israel Defense Forces
Jerusalem International Airport (IATA: JRS, ICAO: LLJR, OJJR) was a regional airport located in the city of Jerusalem. The airport was opened in 1925 and was the first airport in the British Mandate for Palestine. In 1948, after the Arab-Israeli War, the airport was occupied by Jordan, along with the rest of the West Bank, and became part of Jordan's annexation of the region. Royal Jordanian Airlines and Middle East Airlines from Lebanon operated daily commercial flights to and from the airport until 1967.
In 1967, Israel gained control of the airport after winning the Six-Day War and began its military occupation of the previously Jordanian-annexed territories. In the following years, Israel invested significant resources in upgrading the airport's infrastructure to establish it as a full-fledged international airport. Despite these efforts, international aviation authorities refused to allow international flights to land at the airport due to its location in lands captured by Israel in 1967. Consequently, the airport was primarily used for domestic and charter flights.
In October 2000, due to security issues during the Second Intifada, the airport was closed to civilian air traffic. Finally, in July 2001, the airport was officially handed over to the Israel Defense Forces, marking the end of its civilian aviation operations.
Today, there are no airports in Jerusalem. Travellers wishing to visit Jerusalem typically fly into Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel's main international airport located near Lod, approximately 35 minutes from Jerusalem. Ben Gurion Airport is known for its high-level security measures and efficient facilities, including duty shops, restaurants, banks, and currency exchange offices. It serves as the primary gateway for international travellers visiting Israel and offers direct flights from major cities worldwide.
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There are no airports in Jerusalem, the closest one is Ben Gurion Airport
Jerusalem, steeped in history and home to diverse cultures, is a city with no airports of its own. The closest airport to Jerusalem is Ben Gurion Airport, located near Lod, which is about a 35-minute drive from the city. This airport, commonly referred to as Tel Aviv Airport by tourists, serves as the main gateway to and from Israel. It is renowned for its efficient facilities, high-level security, and convenient connections to other destinations.
Ben Gurion Airport offers a seamless travel experience with duty-free shops, restaurants, banks, and currency exchange services. It is easily accessible by road, connected to both Highway 1 and Highway 40. Upon arrival, travellers can find a taxi stand just outside the airport, making it convenient to reach their desired destinations.
The airport is served by approximately 70 major international airlines, including Israel's national airline, El Al. El Al operates direct flights to and from major cities in Europe, America, Africa, and the Far East. Other airlines such as Arkia and Israir also provide connections from central Europe. Additionally, IndiGo, India's budget airline, offers flights to Tel Aviv in collaboration with Turkish Airlines, providing travellers from Delhi with convenient access to Israel.
While Jerusalem does not have a functioning airport, it once had the Jerusalem International Airport. This airport, located in the city, was opened in 1925 and was the first airport in the British Mandate for Palestine. However, due to various political and security issues, it was eventually closed to civilian air traffic, with its operations ceasing in the early 2000s. Today, plans to redevelop the Jerusalem airport site have been proposed but remain shelved as of 2021 due to political considerations.
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Ben Gurion Airport is considered to have the best security facilities for travellers
While there are no airports in Jerusalem, the Ben Gurion International Airport, located near Lod, is the main entrance and exit airport in and out of Israel. It is about a 35-minute drive from Jerusalem and a 30-minute drive from Tel Aviv. The airport, which was completely renovated in 2004, is equipped with duty shops, restaurants, banks, and currency exchange offices.
The airport is accessible by road, as it is connected to Highway 1 and Highway 40. Travellers can also take a shared taxi called "monit sherut" to Jerusalem, Haifa, or Beer Sheva. Additionally, a train service is available from the lower level of Terminal 3.
Ben Gurion Airport is Israel's key airport, with around 70 major international airlines offering flights to this airport. El Al, Israel's national airline, operates direct flights to Israel from most major cities in Europe, America, Africa, and the Far East. IndiGo, India's budget airline, also operates flights to Ben Gurion Airport from Delhi, with connections from other major Canadian cities.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are currently no airports in Jerusalem. The closest international airport to Jerusalem is Ben Gurion Airport, which is located near Lod, about 35 minutes from Jerusalem and 30 minutes from Tel Aviv.
You can take a taxi or a bus from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem.
Yes, there are two other major airports in Israel: Ramon Airport and Haifa Airport. In addition, there are about 14 other airstrips across Israel and the Golan Heights that are used for private or training purposes.
Yes, Jerusalem previously had an airport called Jerusalem International Airport (IATA: JRS, ICAO: LLJR, OJJR). It was opened in 1925 and was the first airport in the British Mandate for Palestine. However, due to various political and security issues, it was eventually closed to civilian air traffic and handed over to the Israel Defense Forces.
