List of Airports in Israel
As of 2024, there are 14 airports throughout the country of Israel according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Israel are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Israel
# | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Beer Sheba Airport | BEV | Beer Sheba | Small |
2 | Ben Gurion International Airport | TLV | Tel Aviv Yafo | Large |
3 | Ein Yahav Airport | EIY | Ein Yahav | Small |
4 | Elat (Eilat) Airport | ETH | Elat (Eilat) | Medium |
5 | Gush Katif Airport | GHK | Gush Katif | Small |
6 | Haifa Airport | HFA | Haifa | Small |
7 | Jerusalem Airport | JRS | Jerusalem | Small |
8 | Kiryat Shmona Airport | KSW | Kiryat Shmona | Small |
9 | Masada Airport | MTZ | Masada | Small |
10 | Mitspeh Ramon Airport | MIP | Mitspeh Ramon | Small |
11 | Ovda Airport | VDA | Ovda | Small |
12 | Rosh Pina Airport | RPN | Rosh Pina | Small |
13 | Sde Dov Airport | SDV | Tel Aviv Yafo | Small |
14 | Yotvata Airport | YOT | Yotvata | Small |
Major Airports in Israel
1. Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
Airport Code: TLV
Time Zone: IST (UTC +2:00) / IDT (UTC +3:00) (during daylight savings)
Address:
Ben Gurion International Airport, 7015001, Lod, Israel
Nearby Cities:
- Tel Aviv – 12 miles
- Herzliya – 14 miles
- Rishon Lezion – 7 miles
- Petah Tikva – 9 miles
- Bat Yam – 11 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- El Al Israel Airlines
- Arkia Israeli Airlines
- Israir Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Delta Airlines
- Emirates
- Air France
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 25 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is Israel’s primary international gateway and the busiest airport in the country. Located about 12 miles southeast of Tel Aviv in Lod, the airport opened in 1936 under British rule and was initially known as Lydda Airport. After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the airport was renamed Ben Gurion, in honor of David Ben Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel.
The airport serves as a hub for Israeli national carrier El Al and as a key transit point for international travel to and from Israel. Over the years, Ben Gurion has expanded significantly to meet the growing demand for air travel, becoming a central point for flights connecting Israel to Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. It is well known for its high level of security, a critical factor for Israel, given its geopolitical position. Ben Gurion has also been recognized for its efficient passenger handling and modern facilities, contributing to its reputation as one of the best airports in the region.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Ben Gurion International Airport has two main runways: Runway 08/26 (3,600 meters) and Runway 12/30 (4,000 meters). Both are capable of handling large aircraft, including wide-body planes such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380.
The airport features three terminals: Terminal 1 (for low-cost carriers and domestic flights), Terminal 2 (primarily for international flights), and Terminal 3 (the main international terminal). Terminal 3 offers a wide range of amenities including duty-free shopping, lounges, restaurants, and lounges. Ground transportation to and from the airport is well organized, with trains, taxis, buses, and private car services connecting the airport to Tel Aviv and surrounding areas. The airport has undergone extensive modernization in recent years to keep up with the growing number of passengers and improve efficiency.
2. Ramon International Airport (ETM)
Airport Code: ETM
Time Zone: IST (UTC +2:00) / IDT (UTC +3:00) (during daylight savings)
Address:
Ramon International Airport, 30100, Timna Valley, Israel
Nearby Cities:
- Eilat – 12 miles
- Aqaba (Jordan) – 9 miles
- Elat – 12 miles
- Negev Desert – 15 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Arkia Israeli Airlines
- Israir Airlines
- Ryanair
- EasyJet
- Wizz Air
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 2 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Ramon International Airport (ETM) is located near Eilat, a popular resort city at the southern tip of Israel, near the Red Sea. The airport, which opened in 2019, was built to replace Eilat’s aging airport (Ovda Airport) and to handle growing demand for both domestic and international flights to the region. Ramon International was named after Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut, who tragically died in the Columbia space shuttle disaster in 2003.
The airport was strategically designed to serve as a modern gateway for travelers heading to Eilat and surrounding areas such as the Negev Desert, as well as an international hub for tourists visiting the Red Sea region. Despite its recent opening, Ramon International has already seen significant growth in passenger numbers, with both domestic carriers and international low-cost airlines offering regular services to and from the airport.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Ramon International Airport has one runway: Runway 08/26, which is 3,600 meters long. The runway is capable of handling narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, but it is not currently equipped for large wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380.
The airport has a modern terminal with facilities including duty-free shopping, restaurants, lounges, and a variety of services aimed at enhancing the passenger experience. Ground transportation options include shuttle buses to Eilat, taxis, and rental cars, with good road access to the main tourist destinations in the region. The airport has been designed to accommodate future growth, with expansion plans already in place to meet increasing traffic demands.
3. Haifa Airport (HFA)
Airport Code: HFA
Time Zone: IST (UTC +2:00) / IDT (UTC +3:00) (during daylight savings)
Address:
Haifa International Airport, 32951, Haifa, Israel
Nearby Cities:
- Haifa – 4 miles
- Acre – 13 miles
- Nazareth – 30 miles
- Tel Aviv – 50 miles
- Netanya – 45 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Arkia Israeli Airlines
- El Al Israel Airlines
- Ryanair
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 200,000 passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Haifa International Airport (HFA) is located in the northern part of Israel, approximately 4 miles from the city of Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city. The airport has been in operation since 1938 and was initially used for military purposes under British control. Following the establishment of the State of Israel, it was converted into a civilian airport and began handling both domestic and regional flights.
Though it is smaller compared to Ben Gurion, Haifa Airport serves a key role in connecting northern Israel to domestic and some international destinations. It is an important hub for business travelers and tourists visiting Haifa, a major port city with cultural and historical significance. The airport is particularly used for flights to and from Eilat and other regional destinations.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Haifa Airport has a single runway, Runway 03/21, which is 1,800 meters long. The runway can accommodate smaller aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, but it does not support wide-body aircraft due to its shorter length.
The terminal at Haifa Airport is relatively small but offers basic amenities, including check-in counters, a café, and duty-free shopping for departing passengers. Ground transportation options include taxis and private car rentals, providing easy access to Haifa and nearby cities. Despite its size, the airport plays an essential role in the region’s connectivity and is a vital transportation link for northern Israel.
4. Ovda Airport (VDA) (Closed as a Commercial Airport)
Airport Code: VDA
Time Zone: IST (UTC +2:00) / IDT (UTC +3:00) (during daylight savings)
Address:
Ovda Airport, Timna Valley, Israel
Nearby Cities:
- Eilat – 31 miles
- Aqaba (Jordan) – 13 miles
- Timna – 12 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Arkia Israeli Airlines (historical)
- Israir Airlines (historical)
- Ryanair (historical)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
At its peak, Ovda Airport handled approximately 500,000 passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Ovda Airport (VDA) was located about 31 miles north of Eilat and was primarily used for international charter flights to and from European destinations, particularly during the high tourist season. The airport, which opened in 1989, was initially used as a military airbase before being converted for civilian use. Ovda served as a secondary airport for the southern region of Israel, providing services to travelers heading to Eilat and the nearby Red Sea resorts.
However, with the opening of Ramon International Airport in 2019, Ovda Airport ceased its commercial operations, as Ramon was designed to take over most of the international traffic to the Eilat region. The airport is still used for military purposes but no longer handles passenger flights.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Ovda had a single runway, Runway 08/26, which was 3,000 meters long. The runway could accommodate narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, but it was not large enough for wide-body aircraft.
The terminal at Ovda was modest, offering basic services such as check-in counters, baggage claim, and a small duty-free area. Ground transportation was provided by buses and taxis connecting the airport to Eilat. With the closure of Ovda to commercial flights, Ramon International has taken over all passenger traffic in the area.
5. Sde Dov Airport (SDV) (Closed)
Airport Code: SDV
Time Zone: IST (UTC +2:00) / IDT (UTC +3:00) (during daylight savings)
Address:
Sde Dov Airport, 6801101, Tel Aviv, Israel
Nearby Cities:
- Tel Aviv – 2 miles
- Herzliya – 5 miles
- Bat Yam – 6 miles
- Rishon Lezion – 8 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Arkia Israeli Airlines (historical)
- Israir Airlines (historical)
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 1.5 million passengers annually at its peak
Airport Location and History:
Sde Dov Airport (SDV) was a small domestic airport located near Tel Aviv, primarily serving flights to Eilat, Haifa, and other regional destinations. The airport opened in 1938 as a military airfield and later became a civilian airport after the establishment of the State of Israel. It was a popular choice for short-haul domestic flights due to its proximity to Tel Aviv and its quick access for travelers in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
However, with the growth of Ben Gurion International Airport and the need for urban development in Tel Aviv, Sde Dov Airport was closed to commercial flights in 2019. The airport site is now being redeveloped for residential and commercial purposes, as Tel Aviv continues to expand.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Sde Dov Airport had a single runway, Runway 08/26, which was 2,300 meters long. The runway was primarily used by narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 and ATR 72, but could not accommodate large wide-body aircraft.
The terminal at Sde Dov was basic, providing essential services like check-in counters, baggage claim, and a small duty-free area. Ground transportation options included taxis and buses connecting the airport to central Tel Aviv and other nearby cities. The closure of Sde Dov has led to a shift in domestic air travel operations to Ben Gurion International Airport.