By Pesach Benson • March 23, 2026
Jerusalem, 23 March, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s aviation sector faced major disruption on Monday after the government sharply curtailed flight activity at the country’s main international gateway, prompting airlines to reassess operations and warn that the restrictions could effectively shut down regular air travel.
The measures, announced by Transport Minister Miri Regev, limit departures from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport to just 50 passengers per flight and reduce overall traffic to one takeoff and one landing per hour. Incoming flights will continue without passenger limits.
Regev said the decision followed consultations with security officials. “In light of their recommendations and in order to prevent possible harm to human life, I have decided, for the time being, to reduce the number of takeoffs and landings and the number of passengers,” she said, adding that “at any given moment, the instructions may change.”
Since the war with Iran began on Feb. 28, foreign airlines have halted flights to Israel, leaving Israeli carriers to operate limited, primarily repatriation-focused service.
The restrictions mark a significant tightening compared to previous limits, when departing flights carried up to 150 passengers.
Israel’s national carrier, El Al, said it was reviewing the operational and safety implications of the new rules. The airline warned that the current framework “does not allow for regular aviation activity,” and said it was working to develop a plan that would enable the continuation of essential flights.
“As always, El Al will do whatever is necessary, considering the limitations, to be the air bridge for Israelis in the country and in the world,” the company said.
The airline also urged authorities to open Ramon Airport, located near the Red Sea resort city of Eilat, as an alternative hub to ease pressure on Ben Gurion Airport.
Smaller Israeli carrier Arkia also criticized the move, saying “the current outline does not allow for regular aviation activity, and this is effectively closing Israel’s skies.”
Arkia said it would operate its scheduled flights for Monday but was preparing to shift most of its operations to nearby international airports in Aqaba, Jordan, and Taba, Egypt. It added that it would maintain only minimal service from Ben Gurion Airport, including flights to Larnaca, Cyprus, and Athens, Greece, primarily for humanitarian purposes.
The airline emphasized that the restrictions make normal operations unworkable and warned against being forced to choose between ticketed passengers. “This is not feasible and is not consistent with the company’s values,” Arkia said.
The tightening measures have compounded an already difficult situation for travelers. El Al recently canceled flights to dozens of destinations through March 27, affecting approximately 25,000 tickets in the lead-up to the Passover holiday. Due to ongoing restrictions, the airline said passengers whose flights were canceled would not be able to rebook at this stage and could instead choose between a full refund or a credit voucher.
Another carrier, Israir, announced it was scrapping its pre-war flight schedule through the end of March and suspending ticket sales for that schedule until April 30. The airline said it would make “every effort” to reassign affected passengers to available flights, while offering refunds or enhanced credit vouchers to those unable or unwilling to accept alternatives.
Despite the aviation curbs, Israel’s land border crossings remain open and are operating as usual, the Transportation Ministry said.
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