Ben Gurion Airport Closes Terminal 1 Until 2025

Ben Gurion Airport's Terminal 1 will close from November 1 until March 2025 due to a significant drop in air travel following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) reported that daily passenger numbers have plummeted to around 20,000, prompting the suspension of international flights by major budget airlines such as Wizz Air, Ryanair, and easyJet. While domestic flights to Eilat will continue from Terminal 1, all international operations will move to Terminal 3, where higher operating costs may deter budget carriers from returning. Industry experts highlight that ticket prices have surged, with economy fares to New York jumping from approximately $800 to $2,000, reflecting the consequences of reduced flight options. The closure follows previous patterns observed during the conflict, where security concerns led to drastic reductions in air traffic. Many international airlines, including British Airways and Flydubai, have also delayed or suspended their flights to Israel amid ongoing tensions in the region.