Hanukkah Travel Surge Drives Sharp Rise in Passenger Traffic at Ben Gurion Airport

Hanukkah is already being felt across Ben Gurion Airport, with passenger traffic rising sharply and the terminal returning to a high-intensity operational rhythm. According to the Israel Airports Authority, approximately 508,000 passengers are expected to pass through the airport on international flights during the Hanukkah holiday period—an increase of around 50% compared to last year.

The surge marks a clear return to pre-war travel patterns, with busy morning and evening flight waves, increased pressure along the airport’s operational chain, and far less downtime between departures and arrivals.

Peak Days and Heavy Congestion Across the Terminal

One of the busiest days of the holiday period is Sunday, December 14, with an estimated 65,000 passengers passing through the airport. The increase is already evident at check-in counters, security screening, boarding gates, and internal terminal corridors.

For comparison, in December 2023, at the height of the war, daily passenger numbers stood at roughly 20,000—a gap that highlights how quickly air travel demand expands or contracts in response to security and geopolitical conditions.

Airport officials warn that during peak days—particularly when passenger volume exceeds 60,000 travelers—long lines and congestion should be expected. Bottlenecks may appear at different points throughout the day, depending on how flight “waves” overlap, whether at check-in, security checks, passport control, or boarding gates.

School Holidays and Airline Returns Fuel Demand

The Airport Authority notes that the start of the Hanukkah school break has significantly contributed to the increase in demand. This, combined with the return of airlines and expanded flight frequencies, has created traffic levels similar to end-of-year travel seasons seen in previous years.

Unlike short weekend getaways, Hanukkah travel includes family visits, multi-day vacations, and trips spanning consecutive days off, spreading congestion throughout the week rather than concentrating it solely on weekends.

Christmas Overlap Adds International Pressure

An additional factor amplifying demand this year is the overlap between Hanukkah and Christmas, which falls on December 24. The convergence of the two holiday periods has boosted interest in European and North American destinations, increasing both flight occupancy and congestion at foreign airports—particularly in major tourist cities.

This overlap also contributes to uneven demand, with heavy booking concentrations around preferred departure and return dates rather than a steady flow throughout the holiday period.

Most Popular Destinations This Season

According to the Airports Authority data, the most sought-after destinations during the Hanukkah holiday include:

• United States

• United Arab Emirates

• Greece

• Hungary

• France

For travelers, this means a mix of short European city breaks, long-haul flights to North America, and family-focused holiday trips—each contributing to concentrated demand on specific routes and dates.

Passenger Advisory

Travelers passing through Ben Gurion Airport during Hanukkah are advised to arrive earlier than usual, particularly during peak morning and evening hours, and to prepare for delays and crowding. Airport officials emphasize that congestion levels depend not only on total passenger numbers, but also on how flights are distributed throughout the day.

As holiday travel accelerates, Ben Gurion Airport is once again operating at full throttle—bringing with it both the energy and the challenges of a peak travel season.