Israel to Increase Passenger Capacity on Departing Flights as Airspace Restrictions Begin to Ease

Starting Sunday, Israel will increase the limit on departing flight passengers at Ben Gurion Airport to 90, easing restrictions after Iranian missile attacks.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 9:45 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Incremental Expansion of Flight Capacity

The Israeli Transportation Ministry is set to implement a modest expansion of air travel capacity this weekend, signaling a potential shift in the management of the nation's wartime airspace. Under the new proposal, the current cap of 50 passengers per departing flight will be increased by an additional 20 seats for general travelers. Furthermore, another 20 seats per flight will be specifically designated for humanitarian cases, effectively raising the maximum occupancy for departures to 90 passengers. This move is designed to address the growing backlog of residents and foreign nationals seeking to leave the country since the escalation of hostilities with Iran.

Security Assessments and Fluid Regulatory Frameworks

Despite the planned increase, government officials have emphasized that the framework remains subject to immediate change based on real-time security assessments. The Transportation Ministry noted that the final details of the expansion are still being coordinated with relevant defense authorities to ensure that passenger safety is not compromised by the ongoing threat of aerial bombardment. While the cap on departures is being relaxed, there are currently no equivalent restrictions on the number of passengers permitted on flights arriving in Israel, as the primary concern remains the logistical challenge of managing large crowds in terminal areas during missile alerts.

Response to Iranian Ballistic Missile Strikes

The current stringency at Ben Gurion Airport was a direct consequence of a massive Iranian ballistic missile offensive on March 23, which resulted in multiple impacts across central and southern Israel. Following those strikes, authorities slashed the departure limit from 120 passengers down to 50 as a precautionary measure to minimize potential casualties in the event of a direct hit on the airport infrastructure. The upcoming increase to 90 passengers represents a cautious middle ground as the Home Front Command balances the need for economic and social mobility against the persistent risk of further long-range attacks.