Ben-Gurion Airport's Terminal 1 Reopens for Domestic Flights

Ben-Gurion Airport's Terminal 1 is once again handling domestic flights, marking a significant step in the airport's return to normalcy. The Israel Airports Authority announced the terminal's reopening on Sunday, with international flights scheduled to commence on July 1, just in time for the busy school holiday travel period.

Terminal 1, previously favored by budget airlines for its lower usage fees compared to Terminal 3, had been closed since March. Its closure followed the outbreak of the Iran war, which led to all flights being consolidated at Terminal 3.

The airport's capacity is also being addressed by the relocation of US Air Force refueling aircraft. These aircraft, currently stationed at Ben-Gurion, will be moved to Israeli Air Force bases. To accommodate them, existing IAF aircraft will be relocated to other bases. This move is overseen by National Security Council Director Shmuel Ben-Ezra.

IAA Director General Sharon Kedmi had previously highlighted the airport's strained capacity, noting in May that Ben-Gurion was operating at only one-third of its potential. Ben-Ezra echoed these concerns, telling KAN's Reshet Bet radio station that the IAA had already suffered losses amounting to NIS 700 million.

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We are at the limit of our capabilities.