Jerusalem, 7 March, 2026 (TPS-IL) — International flights departing Israel are set to resume gradually on Sunday from Ben Gurion Airport, authorities announced Saturday night, as the government continues efforts to stabilize air travel during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The controlled departures will begin under a special framework approved by Transport Minister Miri Regev in coordination with security officials and Israel’s Home Front Command. Israeli airlines will operate the flights while continuing parallel operations to return Israelis stranded abroad.
Under the plan, each departing flight will be limited to 70 passengers. Approximately 15 percent of seats will be reserved for humanitarian and security cases, as well as tourists and diplomats currently in Israel.
Regev said the decision follows the launch of a national effort to bring Israelis home while carefully restoring outbound travel.
“After we began the national operation to return Israelis home, we continue to operate in a gradual and responsible manner to also enable departure from the country,” Regev said. “Every step is taken in full coordination with security agencies and the Home Front Command, and while strictly maintaining the safety of passengers and crews. Our goal is to return aviation activity to normal as soon as possible, while managing airspace responsibly even during this challenging period.”
The resumption of limited departures comes as inbound flights continue to bring thousands of Israelis back to the country under the broader emergency aviation effort.
Moshe Ben Zaken, director general of the Transportation Ministry, said authorities are working continuously with airlines and security agencies to manage the gradual reopening of Israel’s airspace.
“The Ministry of Transportation and the Airports Authority are working around the clock together with all security agencies and airlines to manage air activity in a gradual and safe manner,” Ben Zaken said. “In addition to continuing rescue flights to Israel, starting tomorrow we are also allowing controlled departures from the country in accordance with the predetermined outline and Home Front Command guidelines.”
According to the Israel Airports Authority, 19 flights carrying 3,188 passengers landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday. Friday saw 34 incoming flights with 6,314 passengers. By the end of Saturday, another 37 flights were expected to land, bringing another 5,268 passengers.
Authorities said these flights are part of the ongoing airlift designed to return Israelis who were stranded overseas after widespread flight cancellations triggered by the regional conflict.
At the same time, significant traffic has been recorded at Israel’s land border crossings. According to the Airports Authority, which is responsible for the land border crossings, 18,910 people entered Israel via the Taba border crossing with Egypt and the Rabin, Allenby and Jordan River crossings with Jordan between Feb. 28-March 6. During the same period, 24,693 passengers departed the country through those crossings.
Officials said the crossings continue to operate normally.
Passengers planning to depart Israel by air are required to contact Israeli airlines directly to check availability and complete registration before arriving at the airport.
Due to the airport’s special operating procedures during the conflict, travelers are instructed to arrive approximately two hours before departure instead of the usual three hours. Luggage may be checked into the aircraft hold, and passengers must complete check-in online before arriving at the airport.
Israeli citizens leaving the country will also be required to sign a declaration committing not to return to Israel for 30 days from the date of departure.