The Hebrew newspaper "Times of Israel" reported that the daily passenger movement to and from Ben Gurion International Airport has witnessed a significant decline, with the number of travelers decreasing by 30,000 passengers daily, representing a decline estimated at about 43%.

The reason for the decline

This sharp decrease comes against the backdrop of the ongoing security escalation in the region, especially after the missile attack carried out by the Houthi group on Ben Gurion Airport a few days ago. This attack raised broad security concerns, prompting many international airlines to reassess their flight schedules and take precautionary measures that include reducing or canceling flights to and from the airport.

The impact of the attack on air traffic

The missile bombardment caused panic among travelers and led to the temporary closure of the airport to assess the damage and ensure the safety of the infrastructure. Although the airport has reopened, a cautious atmosphere still prevails among airlines, with some major companies completely canceling their flights, while others rerouted their flights to alternative airports in the region.

Statements and expected losses

For its part, the Israeli authorities have not yet issued any official statements regarding the direct impact of the attack on air traffic; however, internal sources at the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority indicated that restoring confidence in the airport's safety may take longer than expected.

In this context, aviation experts predict that losses in the travel and aviation sector in Israel will continue in the upcoming period, especially with the arrival of the summer season, which usually sees a peak in travel activity.

International and local reactions

In contrast, some Israeli tourism entities criticized the lack of clear emergency plans to deal with missile attacks, pointing out that these developments could negatively impact tourism, which had begun to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under these circumstances, Israel faces a dual challenge: securing its airports on one hand, and ensuring the continuity of air travel on the other hand, at a time when regional tensions continue to escalate.

With increasing security warnings and ongoing risks, the future of travel to and from Ben Gurion Airport remains unclear, amid calls for quick solutions to enhance security and restore the confidence of travelers and airlines.