Israel restricts aviation as Iranian missile attacks escalate
Damage near Ben Gurion and southern cities drives emergency measures.
Israel’s Ministry of Transportation announced on Sunday that, following recent security developments, including direct strikes in Arad and Dimona and damage to civilian aircraft parked at Ben Gurion Airport, it has decided to scale back operations at the country’s main international gateway.
The decision, made in coordination with professional bodies and the IDF’s Home Front Command, has already begun to disrupt aviation activity significantly. Under the new restrictions, Israeli airlines, currently the only carriers operating flights, will face sharp limitations.
The updated framework reduces the number of passengers permitted on outbound flights to 50, down from 120, and limits traffic to one takeoff and landing per hour instead of two. The measures are set to take effect today (Monday) at 5:00 PM.
In response, Arkia announced that it will shift most of its operations to airports in Taba and Aqaba, where it has already been partially operating since the start of the war. From Ben Gurion Airport, the airline will maintain only limited service, primarily flights to Larnaca and Athens, largely for humanitarian purposes.
“The current framework does not allow for normal aviation activity and effectively closes Israel’s skies,” Arkia said in a statement.
The airline added that it will continue operating its scheduled flights from Ben Gurion Airport today, but is preparing to relocate the bulk of its activity. Flights to destinations such as New York, Bangkok, and Hanoi are expected to operate from Aqaba Airport under a fully booked schedule. An updated timetable is expected to be published shortly.
Arkia also noted that the new restrictions force it to make difficult decisions about which ticketed passengers will be able to fly, despite having already purchased tickets.
El Al is still assessing the implications of the new rules but has warned that it will be forced to significantly scale back operations at Ben Gurion Airport. Unlike Arkia and Israir, El Al does not operate flights from Taba, leaving it fully dependent on Ben Gurion.
In a statement, the airline said it is working to develop a reduced operating model that will allow it to maintain essential air connectivity to and from Israel. At the same time, it called on the Ministry of Transportation to open Ramon Airport as an alternative hub.
“El Al calls for the opening of Ramon Airport as a complementary solution to Ben Gurion Airport, in order to preserve aviation activity and provide a response to the traveling public,” the company said.
