Ben Gurion Airport

Ben Gurion Airport
source
Name	Ben Gurion Airport
IATA	TLV
ICAO	LLBG
Owner	Israel Airports Authority
City-served	Tel Aviv metropolitan area
Location	Lod, Central District
Elevation-f	135
Elevation-m	41
Coordinates	32, 00, 34, N...
Website	https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/airports/bengurion/
R1-number	03/21
R1-length-m	2,772
R1-length-f	9,094
R1-surface	Asphalt
R2-number	08/26
R2-length-m	4,062
R2-length-f	13,327
R2-surface	Asphalt
R3-number	12/30
R3-length-m	3,112
R3-length-f	10,210
R3-surface	Asphalt

Ben Gurion Airport is the primary international gateway to Israel and the busiest airport in the country. Located near the city of Lod, it serves the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and is a major hub for El Al, Arkia, and Israir. Named after David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel, the airport is renowned for its advanced security protocols and modern facilities, handling over 20 million passengers annually.

History

The airport's origins trace back to the British Mandate for Palestine, when a landing strip was established at the site in 1936, later becoming RAF Station Lydda. Following the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948, it was renamed Lod Airport and began civilian operations under the management of the newly formed Israel Airports Authority. A significant expansion occurred with the opening of Terminal 1 in 1970, designed to handle the growing influx of tourists and immigrants. The airport was renamed in honor of David Ben-Gurion in 1973. Major developments continued with the construction of Terminal 3, which opened in 2004 to replace the aging Terminal 1 for international flights, coinciding with increased traffic from carriers like British Airways and Lufthansa.

Facilities and terminals

The airport complex is dominated by the state-of-the-art Terminal 3, which features a spacious check-in hall, a large duty-free area operated by Duty Free Americas, and the iconic Aviv prayer room with its striking architectural design. Terminal 1 was repurposed for low-cost and domestic flights, primarily serving Arkia and Israir routes to Eilat and Haifa. The older Terminal 2 was demolished. The airport also houses the Ben Gurion Airport Railway Station, providing direct rail links, and a large multi-level parking structure. Cargo operations are handled by dedicated facilities supporting freight carriers like CAL Cargo Air Lines.

Airlines and destinations

As the main hub for El Al, the airport connects Israel to major global cities including New York, London, Paris, and Bangkok. Other significant carriers operating here include Delta Air Lines, Air France, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates. The airport serves as a focus city for Ryanair and Wizz Air, offering numerous routes across Europe. Key destinations span from Toronto and Miami in North America to Mumbai and Beijing in Asia, with seasonal charters to destinations like Maldives and Seychelles.

Ground transportation

The Ben Gurion Airport Railway Station offers frequent services to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Netanya, integrated into Israel Railways network. Multiple Egged and Kavim bus lines connect the airport to surrounding cities like Lod, Rishon LeZion, and Petah Tikva. Taxi services are readily available, and several major car rental companies, including Eldan and Shlomo Sixt, operate on-site. The airport is directly accessible via Highway 1 from Jerusalem and Highway 4 from the Sharon plain.

Statistics and traffic

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport consistently handled over 24 million passengers annually, making it one of the busiest airports in the Middle East. It serves as a critical cargo hub, with significant tonnage handled for exports of high-tech goods and pharmaceuticals. Major traffic peaks occur during Jewish holidays like Passover and Rosh Hashanah. In 2019, the busiest international routes included flights to Istanbul, Paris, and London. The airport has consistently ranked highly in global airport service quality surveys.

Security and operations

Security is managed by the Israel Airports Authority in close coordination with the Israel Police, Mossad, and Shin Bet. The renowned multi-layered security approach includes behavioral detection, advanced screening technology, and thorough baggage inspection. The airport's security protocols were notably tested during events like the Munich massacre and the Entebbe raid, leading to continuous evolution of procedures. Air traffic control is handled from the airport's control tower, managing arrivals and departures across three runways, with operations occasionally affected by regional tensions or conflicts such as the Gaza–Israel conflict.

Category:Airports in Israel Category:Buildings and structures in Central District (Israel) Category:Transport in Tel Aviv