Israel is moving forward with plans to upgrade Ben Gurion Airport to accommodate a projected rise in passenger numbers.
The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) has issued two tenders to expand Terminal 3, which include upgrades to border control areas, security screening zones and the construction of a new entry gate for arriving passengers. The duty-free food court will also be expanded. Construction is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2025 and is expected to take about two and a half years.
The IAA announced that the upgrades aim to improve operational capabilities, reduce waiting times and streamline passenger flow. A statement detailed that the hand baggage screening area would be expanded with additional stations, and approximately 23,000 square feet will be added to border control zones across four floors to accommodate more stations and upgraded technology.
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A new structure, called the "Tel Aviv Gate," will span 6,560 square feet and provide entry for passengers arriving by bus, replacing current airplane jetways. The gate will offer quicker access to border control and the baggage collection area.
Passenger traffic at Ben Gurion Airport is still below pre-war levels. On Sunday, an estimated 44,400 passengers are expected to travel through the airport on 273 international flights, with around 23,500 departing and 20,900 arriving.
Meanwhile, the government has allocated preliminary funding for the long-delayed Chabad Interchange, also known as the "Ben Gurion Airport West Interchange." First approved in 1997 but stalled due to local opposition, the project aims to save travelers six miles of driving, ease congestion on Highway 1 and improve access from the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway. The interchange is not expected to open before 2029.