Ben-Gurion Airport

Twenty thousand Israelis still stranded abroad as Operation Roaring Lion develops

The only Israeli airline that can carry out the mission on a significant scale is El Al, which has the largest fleet of wide-body aircraft in Israel, including Dreamliners and Boeing 777s.

ISRAELIS RETURN in the first El Al flight to Israel since the beginning of Operation Roaring Lion, March 5, 2026.
AIRPLANES AT the Ben Gurion International airport. February 11, 2026.

Herzog welcomes Israelis home from wartime rescue flights at Ben-Gurion airport

A Flydubai Boeing 737 Max aircraft prepares for landing as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026.

Airline flyDubai cancels Israel flights to April 30 as foreign carriers extend suspensions

Shani Shifferman Gur

Inside the luxury terminal redefining service at Ben-Gurion Airport


Wizz Air hub in Israel stalled as emergency flight rules block foreign operations

With the outbreak of war, the local aviation industry put differences aside and worked together to rescue over 100,000 Israelis stranded abroad.

A Wizz Air flight on the tarmac at Ben-Gurion Airport following a security risk, February 8, 2026.

Israelis deserve better than missile barrages and cancelled flights - editorial

For a war-weary nation that depends heavily on air travel, Israel’s national carrier must prove it can serve the public in a crisis – not just profit during one.

ISRAELIS RETURN in the first El Al flight to Israel since the beginning of Operation Roaring Lion, March 5, 2026.

Stranded Israelis awaiting evacuation from UAE fear closure of Ben-Gurion Airport

The evacuation flights that began on Sunday were expected to return several thousand Israelis who were stranded in the UAE without a way to return to Israel.

An Emirates Airbus A380 passenger aircraft prepares for landing at Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 8, 2026.

El Al flight aborts landing in Tel Aviv due to missile launches from Iran

According to FlightRadar24 tracking data, the plane circled over the Mediterranean Sea for several minutes before receiving clearance to land.

El Al Israel Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner takes off from Los Angeles international Airport on November 11, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

Flights resume to Ben Gurion International Airport as airspace reopens

Israir, one of Israel's two smaller carriers along with Arkia, said it planned five flights to Ben Gurion on Thursday from Rome, Berlin, Athens, Batumi and Rovaniemi/Lapland.

An Israir flight takes off at the Ben Gurion International Airport, outside of Tel Aviv, August 25, 2024

How US citizens in Israel can leave the country amid Operation Roaring Lion - explainer

The US State Department says it is taking steps to assist those who want to depart Israel and other countries in the region, though it notes that current options are limited.

The US Embassy in Jerusalem

Israel to gradually reopen airspace on Thursday under new plan to return stranded Israelis

Under the new framework, Transportation Minister Miri Regev said the reopening of Ben-Gurion Airport will be gradual. During the first 24 hours, one plane will land per hour.

An El Al aircraft is seen at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on February 25, 2026; illustrative.

Israel preparing for gradual reopening of airspace starting next week, minister says

Israel plans to gradually reopen airspace to repatriate stranded citizens, with El Al and Ryanair prioritizing return flights from key international gateways.

An El Al aircraft is seen at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on February 25, 2026; illustrative.

IDF: Ben-Gurion Airport, Israeli airspace may reopen Monday evening

The Israeli military emphasized that the situation is dynamic and could evolve depending on threats from Iran and Hezbollah, as well as whether Yemen's Houthis get involved.

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet flies over central Israel, February 28, 2026

Ben-Gurion Airport closure delays arrival of 140 new immigrants amid Operation Roaring Lion

The temporary shutdown of Israel’s main international gateway at the start of the week led to the cancellation of flights for immigrants who had been scheduled to land between March 1 and March 7.

NEW IMMIGRANTS from France arrive to the Ben Gurion airport in central Israel on June 25, 2025.