Israel Approves 2 New International Airports

The government of Israel has approved plans to build two new international airports, one near the Gaza border and another in northern Israel close to the Lebanese frontier, in a move aimed at expanding national aviation capacity.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision during a cabinet meeting on Sunday, outlining plans for an airport in the desert area of Tzeelim, roughly 15 kilometers from the Gaza Strip, and another at Ramat David in the north.

Netanyahu said the new airports are intended to meet rising demand for tourism and international air travel, as millions of visitors arrive in Israel each year. The expansion is designed to relieve pressure on existing infrastructure and strengthen the country’s transportation network.

Currently, Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv serves as Israel’s primary international gateway, handling approximately 14.5 million passengers in 2024. A second airport near the Red Sea port city of Eilat supports limited international traffic.

The proposed airport in Tzeelim would be built in a sparsely populated desert region near Gaza, while Ramat David currently hosts an Israeli Air Force base and is expected to undergo significant redevelopment as part of the project.

The announcement comes as Israel seeks to boost tourism, strengthen regional connectivity and expand aviation infrastructure to accommodate long term growth in passenger traffic. The dual airport plan marks one of the country’s most ambitious transportation initiatives in recent years.