Fast growing Haifa Airport beats Ben Gurion Airport chaos

Air Haifa operated about 32 flights on Thursday, carrying about 2,200 passengers, with most flights taking off on time, contrasting with disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport. The article examines Haifa Airport's growth potential as a reliable alternative infrastructure, noting a recent increase in passenger numbers and the limitations of its short runway.

While Ben Gurion Airport descended into chaos last Thursday, Air Haifa operated about 32 flights carrying about 2,200 passengers, with the vast majority taking off on time. The contrast highlights Haifa Airport's potential as a reliable alternative for northern Israel. The Israel Airports Authority recently announced a new 900-space parking lot to address congestion. In 2026 so far, about 250,000 passengers have used the airport, up from 282,000 in all of 2025 and just 53,600 in 2024 before Air Haifa began operations. The runway is about 1,300 meters, limiting flights to Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria. Ilana Shafran of the Planning Administration says extending the runway would require demolishing the new Haifa Port. Air Haifa CEO Gonen Ussishkin says with minimal effort the airport could reach 600,000-650,000 passengers next year, and with long-term investment up to 2.5-3 million annually. Experts agree the airport cannot replace Ben Gurion but serves as a useful regional alternative.