Just Before Rosh Hashanah: Record Traffic at Ben Gurion Airport, Increased Staffing, and Warnings of Flight Delays to Uman Due to Airspace Disruptions in Europe
Ben Gurion Airport is expected to experience its busiest day since the outbreak of the war today (18.9.25), with approximately 91,400 passengers on 534 incoming and outgoing flights. This includes about 49,000 passengers departing from Israel and around 42,400 arriving.
According to the Israel Airports Authority, approximately 2.3 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport during the Tishrei holidays. The busiest days this month are anticipated to be Thursday, 25.9, and Sunday, 29.9, with about 90,000 passengers each day. The eve of Rosh Hashanah, on 21.9, is also expected to be particularly busy with around 88,000 passengers.
Congestion at Ramon, Haifa, and Border Crossings
Beyond Ben Gurion, other air and land crossings in Israel are also expected to experience heavy traffic:
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Ramon Airport – approximately 54,000 passengers
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Haifa Airport – approximately 23,000 passengers
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Land border crossings to Jordan and Sinai – approximately 90,000 passengers
Popular Holiday Destinations
Among the leading destinations for the holiday period are Greece, Cyprus, the USA, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, there is expected to be significant traffic on flights to Uman, Ukraine, particularly between September 17 and 21, ahead of Rosh Hashanah.
Increased Staffing and Technological Upgrades
The Israel Airports Authority has announced that due to the congestion, the workforce at Ben Gurion Airport will be increased. Additionally, the G concourse on the ground floor of Terminal 3 has been expanded with 26 additional check-in counters, and a dedicated service area for passengers with special needs has been opened. A new machine has been introduced at Haifa Airport to streamline the security screening process.
Warning for Travelers to Uman: Possible Flight Disruptions
In a joint statement from the government ministries – Transport, Prime Minister’s Office, Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Public Security, it was reported that due to intrusions by unmanned aircraft, the airspaces of Poland and Romania are subject to disruptions and temporary closures. These are main transit routes to Uman.
This means there could be significant delays in flight schedules to Uman, both for departures from Israel and returns. Delays of hours or even days in transit countries are possible.
The statement noted that Israel is working with relevant aviation authorities to minimize the impact and maintain flight schedules as much as the security situation allows, but passengers are advised to prepare in advance, both logistically and financially.
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