After 40 days of war that transformed Israel’s aviation system into a fortified lifeline operating under missile threat and severe restrictions, the country’s airports are finally returning to normal. On April 9, 2026, just one day after a ceasefire was declared between the US, Israel and Iran, the Transportation Ministry announced that Ben Gurion Airport would fully reopen and regular flight operations would resume .
This article examines the state of Israeli airports at this pivotal moment—from the depths of wartime restrictions to the cautious emergence of normalcy.
Part 1: The Wartene Shutdown – Foreign Airlines Grounded
When the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran began on February 28, 2026, Israel’s airspace was effectively closed to most international carriers . Foreign airlines suspended operations almost immediately, leaving only Israeli carriers—El Al, Arkia, Israir, and Air Haifa—to operate under severe restrictions .
For passengers, this meant chaos. Thousands of travelers were stranded, and the government implemented a strict limit of just one outgoing flight per hour . Passenger caps were imposed, starting at 50 travelers per departing flight before gradually increasing .
Air India, like most international carriers, extended its suspension through May 31, forcing thousands of Indian nationals to explore land exit routes through Jordan and Egypt .
Part 2: The Passenger Cap – From 50 to 100
Throughout March and early April, the number of passengers allowed on departing flights from Ben Gurion was strictly controlled. Initially capped at 50, the limit was later raised to 80 and then to 100 on April 6 .
Of the 100 seats, 30 percent were allocated to humanitarian cases and an exceptions committee, ensuring that the most vulnerable—medical evacuees, families with urgent needs, and stranded travelers with expired visas—could still leave . Crew members were not counted within the cap, meaning aircraft carried slightly more than 100 people in total .
Incoming flights faced no such restrictions, allowing repatriation efforts to continue, but the bottleneck remained severe.
Part 3: The Military Threat – Strikes on Airports
While Israeli civilians struggled to fly out, the country’s military was striking airports—in Iran. On April 5, the Israeli Air Force launched “a large-scale wave of strikes aimed at degrading the Iranian Air Force and the IRGC Air Force at airports in Tehran” .
Dozens of Israeli fighter jets struck three airports across Tehran: Bahram Airport, Mehrabad Airport, and Azmayesh Airport, destroying aircraft, helicopters, and military infrastructure . Mehrabad Airport, a dual-use facility in western Tehran, was described by the IDF as a “central hub for arming and financing the regime’s terrorist proxies” .
This offensive was part of Israel’s broader “decapitation strategy”—eliminating Iran’s top leadership through precise strikes. By early April, at least 25 prominent Iranian figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been confirmed killed .
Part 4: Ramon Airport – The Backup Hub Under Fire
During the conflict, Ben Gurion was not the only airport facing threats. Ramon Airport, near the Red Sea city of Eilat, became a critical backup hub—and a target.
In early April, Hamas claimed responsibility for firing a rocket at Ramon Airport, demanding that “all international airlines immediately halt their flights to any airports” in Israel . Incoming passenger flights had already been diverted from Ben Gurion to Ramon due to rocket barrages toward Tel Aviv .
Then, on April 11, a drone launched from Yemen struck the arrivals hall at Ramon Airport, forcing authorities to halt takeoffs and landings while they worked to restore safe operations .
Part 5: The Overland Escape – Taba and Aqaba
With Ben Gurion crippled, overland routes became the primary exit strategy. Thousands of travelers crossed into Jordan via the Sheikh Hussein crossing or into Egypt via the Taba crossing, then boarded flights from Amman or Egyptian airports .
Greek carrier Blue Bird and Cypriot carrier TUS extended their operations from Taba Airport through April 19, operating daily flights to Athens, Larnaca, Rome, and Barcelona . These airlines began operating from Taba at the outset of the war and continued to serve as a vital lifeline for stranded passengers.
Part 6: The Repatriation Mission – Bringing Israelis Home
Despite the chaos, Israeli airlines managed to repatriate thousands of citizens stranded abroad. The government’s “Operation Lion’s Wings” facilitated the return of roughly 60 percent of Israelis abroad when the conflict began .
El Al, Arkia, Israir, and Air Haifa operated limited flights under the passenger caps, prioritizing humanitarian cases and citizens with expired visas .
Part 7: The Espionage Threat – Technicians Accused of Spying for Iran
Even as the skies reopened, a security scandal emerged. On April 22, Israeli authorities announced that two aircraft technicians serving in the Israeli Air Force would be charged with spying for Iran .
The suspects, F-15 technicians at Tel Nof Airbase near Ashdod, were accused of “assisting the enemy during wartime,” with one potentially facing treason charges . They allegedly provided documents related to engine schematics of Israeli aircraft and a photograph of a flight instructor . Eight other soldiers at the base remain under investigation for failing to report the alleged activities .
The case highlighted the vulnerabilities within Israel’s military infrastructure, even as the country celebrated the ceasefire.
Part 8: The Ceasefire – Reopening Announced
On April 8, a ceasefire was declared between the US, Israel and Iran, mediated by Pakistan . Just over 24 hours later, on April 9, the Transportation Ministry announced that Israel would fully reopen its airspace and resume regular operations at Ben Gurion Airport starting at midnight Wednesday-Thursday .
Duty-Free shops and all terminal services were also scheduled to reopen, and formal notices were issued to foreign airlines and leading regulators .
Part 9: The Gradual Return – Not All at Once
Despite the reopening announcement, Israeli airlines cautioned that “the return to routine operations cannot happen all at once” . El Al, the flag carrier, said some flights might still be subject to changes or cancellations in the coming period due to operational complexity and the reorganization of flight schedules .
Starting the week of April 13, El Al planned to expand flight operations from eight gateways to about 30 destinations, including Athens, Amsterdam, Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami .
Arkia said it would begin operating flights to Athens, Larnaca, Rome, Vienna, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Bangkok, New York, and Budapest, with a goal of fully reopening by May 3 . Israir planned flights to Athens, Larnaca, Budapest, Tbilisi, Rome, Berlin and Rhodes .
Part 10: The Foreign Airlines Hesitate
Not all carriers were quick to return. Wizz Air extended the suspension of flights to and from Israel through April 27, though it reaffirmed its commitment to the Israeli market . Air India maintained its suspension through May 31 .
The slow return of foreign airlines meant that even as Ben Gurion reopened, capacity remained limited compared to pre-war levels.
Part 11: The Humanitarian Priority – 30% Allocation
Throughout the crisis and into the reopening, humanitarian cases remained a priority. Under the wartime guidelines, 30 percent of seats on departing flights were allocated to an exceptions committee for humanitarian and exceptional cases .
This system ensured that medical evacuees, pregnant women, elderly travelers with health conditions, and stranded tourists with expired visas could still access flights even when demand far exceeded supply.
Part 12: The New Reality – What Comes After
As of April 24, 2026, Israeli airports are no longer wartime fortresses—but they are not yet fully normal either. The ceasefire has held, allowing Ben Gurion to reopen and foreign airlines to gradually resume service. But the scars of the war remain: an espionage investigation that has shaken the Air Force, infrastructure damage at Ramon Airport, and a cautious international travel community watching for any sign of renewed conflict.
For the Israeli people, the reopening of their airports represents more than convenience—it is a return to connection with the world. After 40 days when flying in or out of Israel required fortitude, luck, or a humanitarian waiver, the skies are finally open again. The journey to full recovery, however, has only just begun.
Conclusion: From War to Normalcy
Israeli airports today reflect a nation in transition—emerging from intense conflict but still alert to threats. Ben Gurion is reopening, Ramon is repairing, and foreign airlines are tentatively returning. The passenger caps have been lifted, the one-flight-per-hour restriction has ended, and the Duty-Free shops are once again welcoming travelers .
But the memory of the war—the rockets, the diversions, the drone strike on Ramon’s arrivals hall, the espionage case at Tel Nof—will shape Israeli aviation for years to come. For now, however, the message is clear: Israel’s airports are open for business, and the world is welcome to return.
