Israeli Carriers Warn of National Airspace Collapse as Ben Gurion Flight Caps Force Shifts to Jordan and Egypt

Israel's airlines warn of a "closure of skies" as Ben Gurion limits departures to 50 people. Arkia plans to move flights to Jordan and Egypt hubs.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 4:36 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters and Sharon Wrobel

Flagship Carrier Reassesses Ben Gurion Hub Viability

Israel’s primary airline, El Al, has officially entered a period of operational review following the Transportation Ministry's latest security directives. The airline, which has served as a critical link for repatriation since the conflict with Iran erupted on February 28, suggested that the new limitations may make continued service at Ben Gurion International Airport unsustainable. In response to the tightening constraints, El Al leadership has formally petitioned authorities to activate Ramon Airport near Eilat as a primary alternative, arguing that the Red Sea facility could provide a safer and more flexible gateway while the central region remains under heavy missile fire.

Drastic Passenger Caps Cripple Outbound Logistics

The new regulations, which take effect at 5:00 p.m. today, impose a severe ceiling on the number of travelers permitted to depart the country. While arriving flights remain unrestricted in terms of passenger volume to facilitate the return of citizens, departing aircraft are now limited to just 50 passengers each, down from the previous emergency cap of 120. Furthermore, the overall frequency of aircraft movements has been slashed to just one takeoff and one landing per hour. Industry analysts note that these combined restrictions effectively reduce the airport's outbound capacity to a fraction of its baseline emergency levels.

Arkia Shifts Operations to Neighboring Foreign Hubs

Faced with what it describes as the practical closure of Israeli skies, Arkia has announced a strategic shift to regional airports in Jordan and Egypt. CEO Oz Berlowitz stated that the airline refuses to arbitrarily choose which ticket-holders to bump from the now-limited Ben Gurion flights. Instead, the company is preparing to transfer a significant portion of its activity to Aqaba and Taba. By utilizing these neighboring facilities, Arkia aims to maintain "aviation continuity" for Israelis seeking to travel abroad, albeit through a more complex cross-border logistical framework.