More than 2.2 million Israelis have flown abroad since the beginning of the year
Since the open skies agreement, more than 80% of Israelis have vacationed abroad, a travel agent told Ynet, 'We are taking vacations at a rate not seen anywhere in the world.' Ben-Gurion Airport: 17% increase from last year during the same period.
The increase in departures, which is unparalleled in almost any Western country, continues a trend that began about five years ago with the signing of the Open Sky Agreement. According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, the number of Israelis flying abroad between January and May 2017 is nearly 85% higher than in the same period in 2012.
One of the leading travel agents in Israel told Ynet, "What has taken place a few years ago is nothing compared to what has been happening in recent months. The people of Israel are simply in the air and going on vacation at a rate not seen anywhere else in the world."
About 1.6 million passengers (Israelis and tourists) passed through Ben-Gurion Airport in May, reflecting an increase of about 9% compared to May 2016. The more significant figure relates to the period between January-May, when more than 6.86 million passengers passed through Ben-Gurion Airport, an increase of 17% compared to the same period in 2016.
In contrast to the rise in the number of departures abroad, the number of departures abroad by land is declining, given the travel warnings and the security situation, especially in Egypt. In May, there were 24,000 departures of Israelis to Egypt and Jordan, compared with 29,000 in the corresponding month in 2016.
