Israeli Civil Aviation Chief Warns of Ben Gurion Airport’s Militarization Amid US-Israel-Iran Conflict

The head of Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority has warned that Ben Gurion Airport in the city of Lod has effectively become a military airport since the outbreak of the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28. Civilian operations there have been significantly curtailed. According to him, there is currently no fully operational international airport in Israel.

Shmuel Zakai, in a letter to Israeli Transport Minister Merav Michaeli, stated that Ben Gurion has turned into a military airport with limited civilian services, and that the continuation of this situation is harming the aviation industry and passengers. He emphasized that this airport is the main artery for Israel’s civilian flights.

Zakai called for a request to be made to the United States to relocate its aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport to Air Force bases, prioritizing Ramon Airport in Eilat. Simultaneously, the Transport Minister has asked the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces to ensure that within 14 days, American aircraft are transferred to Ramon Airport and other military bases.

The letter notes that ongoing restrictions pose a serious threat to the survival of smaller airlines such as Arkia and Air Haifa. The Civil Aviation Authority director clarified that government support is not intended to compensate for lost revenue, but to cover additional costs arising from security restrictions, airspace closures, and the reduced number of flights and passengers.

He warned that without immediate support measures, guaranteeing the continued operation of these airlines may not be possible, a situation that could have wider repercussions for Israel’s air transportation sector and economy.