Ben Gurion Airport sees fewer airlines as delays climb 24%

Ben Gurion Airport is operating with a significantly reduced pool of airlines while flight delays have risen by nearly a quarter, highlighting how Israel’s security situation and shifting airline strategies continue to reshape travel to and from the country’s main international gateway.

Sharp contraction in airline presence at Israel’s main hub

Publicly available data from Israeli aviation authorities and recent industry coverage indicate that only about four dozen airlines are currently operating at Ben Gurion Airport, a marked decline compared with the pre-2023 period. Before the escalation in regional tensions, more than 70 carriers were serving the airport, spanning European network airlines, low-cost operators, North American majors and a growing list of Asian carriers.

The effective reduction to roughly 47 active airlines reflects a wave of suspensions and capacity cuts introduced after the October 2023 Hamas attacks and subsequent conflict in Gaza. Many foreign airlines temporarily halted operations on security grounds and have been slow to return, resulting in a smaller competitive field and an increased reliance on Israeli carriers such as El Al, Israir and Arkia to sustain connectivity.

Reports indicate that some international carriers have resumed limited services, often with fewer weekly frequencies than before, while others have repeatedly pushed back planned restart dates. Schedules published for 2025 and 2026 show that several long-haul routes are only gradually being restored, leaving gaps in connectivity to key markets in North America, Europe and Asia.

The current tally of 47 airlines therefore represents a fragile recovery rather than a full restoration of the pre-crisis network. Industry analysts note that any deterioration in the security outlook, insurance conditions or demand environment could trigger further adjustments, prolonging the period of reduced international access at Ben Gurion.

Delays climb 24% amid constrained capacity

Alongside the contraction in the airline roster, recent airport performance figures and aviation analytics suggest that average delays at Ben Gurion have risen by around 24 percent compared with the period before the latest conflict. This jump is visible both in departure punctuality and in the growing share of flights arriving behind schedule.

Operational factors underpin much of the deterioration. Airlines are working with thinner schedules, but each remaining flight is often fuller, with higher average load factors. This tends to slow boarding, baggage handling and turnaround times. In addition, security screening procedures for both passengers and aircraft have grown more intensive, adding minutes throughout the departure and arrival process.

Air traffic control management around central Israel has also become more complex, according to sector commentary. Periodic restrictions on airspace, changes in approach patterns and short-notice operational pauses during flare-ups in regional tensions can ripple through the system, compounding minor schedule slips into more noticeable delays.

For passengers, the effect is tangible: itineraries that once allowed comfortable connections through European hubs can now be riskier, and late-night arrivals into Tel Aviv have become more common. Travel advisories and airline communications increasingly recommend longer connection windows and additional buffer time at the airport.

Passenger demand returns unevenly across markets

Despite the operational challenges, Ben Gurion’s passenger traffic has shown signs of recovery, although the rebound remains uneven by market. Data from the Israel Airports Authority for late 2024 and early 2025 point to a gradual increase in international passenger volumes compared with the immediate aftermath of the October 2023 shock, but still below earlier record years.

Inbound tourism from North America and parts of Western Europe remains subdued, reflecting lingering security concerns and corporate travel restrictions. However, outbound travel demand from Israeli residents has been more resilient, supported by strong ties to diaspora communities and pent-up leisure demand after previous years of pandemic-related disruption.

Regional routes to nearby hubs, including destinations in Greece, Cyprus and parts of Eastern Europe, have recovered more quickly thanks to shorter flight times and the presence of low-cost carriers that have restarted operations sooner than some legacy airlines. These routes have helped partially offset the loss of capacity on longer-haul services.

Industry observers note that the current imbalance, in which outbound demand often outstrips inbound tourism, puts additional pressure on airlines’ yield management and route planning. Carriers that once relied on a mix of business travellers, tourists and visiting friends and relatives now face a more concentrated demand pattern, influencing which routes are restored first and at what frequency.

Strategic shifts by airlines and airport authorities

The combination of fewer airlines and higher delays is prompting strategic reassessments by both carriers and Israeli aviation authorities. Airlines serving Ben Gurion are revisiting their fleet deployment, favoring aircraft with stronger performance margins and more flexible scheduling to cope with potential disruptions.

Some carriers have shifted flights to daylight hours to mitigate perceived security risks and reduce exposure to sudden airspace closures. Others are consolidating services into fewer weekly rotations but using larger aircraft to maintain capacity. These strategies can support route viability but may limit choice for passengers who previously benefited from multiple daily departures.

On the ground, Ben Gurion’s management has been working within tight constraints to stabilize operations. Public documents describing recent months point to efforts to optimize runway use, streamline passenger flows at security and passport control, and improve coordination with airlines regarding schedule changes. Nevertheless, the external environment continues to exert a strong influence on punctuality indicators.

Aviation analysts suggest that more substantial improvements in on-time performance will likely depend on a broader easing of regional tensions, which would in turn encourage a wider return of foreign airlines and a more normalized pattern of operations and airspace usage.

What travelers should expect in the coming months

For travelers planning to use Ben Gurion Airport in the near term, the current conditions translate into a less predictable experience than in the years preceding 2023. With only about 47 airlines operating and delays higher than before, schedules remain more vulnerable to disruption.

Travel planning guidance from airlines and travel agencies increasingly emphasizes flexibility. Passengers are being advised to allow additional time for security and check-in, consider earlier departures on days with important onward connections, and monitor flight status closely on the day of travel.

Insurance products covering missed connections and travel disruptions have gained prominence in the Israel market as more travelers seek financial protection from schedule volatility. At the same time, loyalty to airlines that have maintained continuous service to Ben Gurion has deepened among some frequent flyers, who perceive these carriers as a more reliable option amid uncertainty.

Looking ahead to the 2026 peak summer season, capacity announcements suggest a cautious optimism, with some long-haul carriers planning partial service restorations. However, the gap between the current 47 operating airlines and the broader pre-crisis network underscores that Ben Gurion’s road back to full, stable connectivity is likely to be gradual, and that elevated delay levels may remain part of the travel reality for some time.