Israel lifts flight restrictions at Ben Gurion Airport following ceasefire with Iran

Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport resumed operations at midnight following the ceasefire with Iran, the Israeli Transport Ministry announced on Wednesday. The Israel Airports Authority is working with relevant partners to restore full flight schedules in accordance with guidelines from the Ministry of Transportation

The Israeli airline company Arkia announced that it seeks to return to full flights by May 3. However, Arkia CEO Oz Berlovitz emphasized that the schedule is "influenced by the security situation and is based on temporary arrangements."

Air travel to and from Israel was mostly suspended since the war in Iran began on Feb. 28, with massive U.S. and Israeli aerial strikes on Iranian regime leaders and key military assets. While signaling cautious optimism, aviation officials said that it will take time before Israel’s air traffic returns to normal and full capacity.

The closure of Israeli airspace to civilian flights left tens of thousands of Israelis stranded in various locations worldwide. In early March, Ben Gurion Airport was partially reopened during the war to facilitate the return of up to 100,000 Israelis stranded abroad. However, the reopening was limited to inbound flights, primarily prioritizing Israeli nationals seeking to return home.

The lack of regular outbound flights meant that thousands of foreign tourists remained stranded in Israel. Departing flights were largely brought to a halt after debris from an Iranian missile damaged three private jets at Ben Gurion Airport.

The volatile security situation led Israel's Ministry of Transportation to reduce the number of passengers on outbound flights to the United States by 50% from 300 to 150. Passenger restrictions on European flights were limited to 120 passengers per flight. Most international airlines canceled their Israeli flights amid the war. The security situation amid the war ultimately forced local airlines, including Arkia and El Al, to suspend their ordinary flights.

Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s two-week ceasefire announcement, Israeli aviation authorities initially viewed increasing passenger capacity per flight as a potential first step toward easing wartime restrictions on civilian flights to and from Israel.

Under wartime restrictions, narrow-body aircraft could carry up to 120 passengers, while wide-body aircraft remain limited to a maximum of 150 passengers.

In addition to Ben Gurion Airport, Israeli officials reportedly plan to reopen Ramon Airport, near the southern Red Sea resort city of Eilat, on Sunday.