Israel approves expansion of Ben-Gurion Airport’s Terminal 3

The Israel Airports Authority has approved a large-scale expansion of Ben-Gurion Airport’s Terminal 3, widely recognized as the country’s main gateway to the world. Oron Infrastructure, which won the construction tender, will add more than 7,000 square meters (about 75,347 sq. ft.) at a cost of NIS 310 million ($US83 million). The project includes a new 2,000-square-meter (about 21,500 sq. ft.) entryway, already dubbed the “Tel Aviv Gate,” and an expanded duty-free food court that will add another 5,500 square meters (about 59,000 sq. ft.). The expansion aims to address concerns that Israel’s main airport could reach full capacity by 2030.

"The expansion of Terminal 3 is part of a multi-year plan to upgrade Ben Gurion Airport's infrastructure, improve passenger services, and support the continued growth of international passenger traffic to and from Israel," the Israel Airports Authority said in an official statement.

The project also seeks to optimize border control facilities and make the passage to the baggage claim area more efficient to handle a growing number of passengers. In addition, the project also seeks to enhance and upgrade the overall passenger experience at the airport. 

"We are approaching this project with great commitment and pride, as part of our ongoing work to strengthen Israel's core infrastructure nationwide," said Gili Azaria, co-owner of Oron Holdings, which will conduct the expansion. 

International passengers are returning to the Holy Land after two years of war with Iran and its terrorist proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. 

The Israel Airport Authority announced already in July that it intends to construct a new departure hall at the airport. 

“There is a clear operational justification for the expansion, which has already been postponed twice due to the war,” the authority stated. “With airlines returning at a steady pace and passenger traffic expected to reach 1.9 million this August—and more airlines planning to resume flights soon."

Some 2.3 million passengers eventually passed through Ben Gurion Airport in August on both inbound and outbound flights. The local aviation industry has estimated that some 40 million passengers are expected to pass through Israel’s main airport by 2030. The planned expansion is consequently viewed as critical in order to meet this dramatic increase in the number of passengers at the airport. It is expected to take 30 months to conclude the airport expansion. 

Ben Gurion Airport announced in March that it would reopen the smaller Terminal 1 to meet the expected increase in international flights to and from Israel. Terminal 1 mainly handles domestic flights and international low-cost airlines such as Wizzair between mainly Europe and Israel. 

"The return of airlines to Terminal 1 will provide passengers with direct access to popular destinations, including Sofia, Budapest, Bucharest, Berlin, Rome, Athens, Rhodes, Warsaw and Vienna," the airport authority stated at the time. 

In March, Knesset’s Economic Affairs Committee greenlighted plans for a second international airport that is expected to be located in Nevatim in Israel’s Negev Desert. 

“Nevatim is the right location – from security, economic, social, environmental, and health perspectives. We commend the Knesset members for their efforts, but we recognize that the path to implementing the law is still filled with challenges,” the Knesset member David Bitan who heads the committee stated.