Israel reopens airport for outbound flights with strict 50-passenger limit

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport resumes partial operations amid ongoing regional conflict

Last updated: June 23, 2025 | 12:22

1 MIN READ

A board showing cancelled flights stands at arrivals hall at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on June 13, 2025 after Israel closed its air space to takeoff and landing.

AFP

Dubai: Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority began a limited resumption of outbound flights on Monday, allowing planes to depart from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport for the first time since departures were suspended on June 13 amid the escalating conflict with Iran.

Under the new directive, each outbound flight is capped at just 50 passengers. The strict limit is part of heightened security measures at the airport, which officials say remains a potential target.

More than 1,000 people are expected to depart the country on Monday aboard the first round of outbound flights, many foreign nationals who had been stranded since the outbreak of hostilities. The partial reopening also gives Israelis with urgent needs an opportunity to leave.

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With minimal seat availability, priority is given to passengers classified under the life-saving, humanitarian, and national security categories.

“We expect local airlines to operate 24 repatriation flights arriving from international destinations today,” said Transportation Minister Miri Regev.

“On each outgoing flight, no more than 50 passengers will be allowed to depart. We must reduce the number of people on the tarmac during this challenging period when the airport can be a target.”

Khitam Al AmirChief News Editor

With over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional news from Dubai, with a strong focus on the UAE, GCC and broader Arab affairs. As Chief News Editor, she brings extensive expertise in delivering breaking and engaging news to readers. Beginning her tenure as a translator, she advanced through roles as Senior Translator and Chief Translator before transitioning to editorial positions, culminating in her current leadership role. Her responsibilities encompass monitoring breaking news across the UAE and the broader Arab region, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination to the public. Born into a family of journalists, Khitam's passion for news was ignited early in life. A defining moment in her youth occurred in September 1985 when she had the opportunity to converse with the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during her visit to a Palestinian refugee camp north of Amman. During this encounter, Khitam shared her family's experiences of displacement from their home in Palestine and their subsequent refuge in Jordan. This poignant interaction not only deepened her understanding of geopolitical issues but also solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in journalism, aiming to shed light on the stories of those affected by regional conflicts. Khitam’s commitment to accurate and timely reporting drives her to seek out news that interests readers, making her a trusted source for news on the UAE and the broader Gulf region.