Passenger traffic at the international airport Ben GurionAirport near Tel Aviv is projected to grow by 33% by 2025, the Israel Airports Authority announced Tuesday. This increase reflects the gradual return of foreign airlines after two years of severe disruptions related to the war in Gaza.
A ceasefire brokered by the United States in October allowed the resumption of numerous air links to Israel. In December, the number of passengers jumped by 59% compared to the same period the previous year.
Throughout 2025, Ben Gurion Airport welcomed 18,5 million passengers, compared to 13,9 million in 2024. This level, however, remains lower than that of 2023, the year before the outbreak of the conflict, when 21,8 million travelers passed through the country's main airport hub.
The national company Al Israel AirlinesEl Al, which maintained most of its flights during the war, carried 6,9 million passengers in 2025, representing a 5% year-on-year increase. However, its market share declined from 48% to 37% as other carriers resumed operations. El Al also saw strong revenue and profit growth during the conflict period due to limited competition.
Smaller Israeli companies Israir et Everyday followed, with 11% and 9% market share respectively. As for foreign carriers, Wizz Air became the leading international airline operating in Israel, with 1,23 million passengers, double its 2024 level, representing approximately 7% of the market. Other airlines, such as Aegean, flydubai, Etihad, Lufthansa, and United, also recorded significant increases in passenger numbers.
According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, the number of foreign tourists increased by 38% in 2025 to reach 1,34 million, a figure still significantly lower than the 3,24 million recorded in 2023. Israeli outbound tourism, however, increased by 33%, with 9,42 million trips abroad.
The war in Gaza, which began in October 2023, has significantly impacted air and tourism traffic. While the ceasefire ended most of the fighting, tensions have not completely disappeared, and the security situation continues to influence the pace of recovery.
