History. The government today (Sunday) approved the proposal of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Transportation and Road Safety Miri Regev, and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich to amend a previous decision regarding the establishment of supplementary airports to Ben Gurion Airport, and determined that the supplementary airport in the south will be established in Tzalag in the Negev, instead of Nevatim.
It was also decided that the promotion of Tzalag Airport will be accelerated to the planning level of Ramat David. For the purpose of establishing the two international civilian airports in the north and south without delay.
The decision was made at the end of a discussion held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Minister of Transportation Miri Regev and Deputy Minister Almog Cohen. It is intended to address the expected increase in passenger volume, to prepare for the prevention of an aviation crisis in the coming years, to ensure an alternative aviation infrastructure for the State of Israel, and to reduce the pressure on Ben Gurion Airport in light of its expected arrival at its capacity ceiling of 40 million passengers per year. Without the establishment of additional international civilian airports, there is a real risk of a shortage of flight supply relative to demand, price increases, and a deepening of the impact on the cost of living.
Furthermore, the establishment of additional airports has strategic importance in terms of emergencies and operational continuity, given the extensive reliance of the Israeli economy on a single central air gateway and in light of the lessons learned from the Iron Swords War and Operation Moses’ Staff.
As part of the amendment to the government’s decision, it was determined that in the south, instead of the Nevatim alternative, which was found to be operationally unfeasible, the Tzalag alternative will be promoted, in accordance with the decision of the National Planning and Building Council to prepare a national master plan for a supplementary airport in this area.
The airport planned in the Tzalag area is expected to serve the southern communities and serve as a significant growth engine for the Kiryat Gat, Netivot, Sderot, Ofakim, and Rahat areas. In the north, the promotion of the international civilian airport in the Ramat David area will continue in parallel.
The decision emphasizes that the parallel promotion of both airports is a necessary condition for comprehensive systemic preparedness, for reducing the risk of an aviation crisis, and for ensuring balanced economic development of the northern and southern peripheries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “The establishment of a supplementary airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Tzalag in the south will be a tremendous lever for the development of the Negev – for employment, for accessibility, for tourism, alongside complementary infrastructure of roads and railways, and also for ancillary industries and businesses that are established near an airport.
This is part of our vision – a true vision for the development and settlement of the Negev and the elimination of the periphery.
In parallel, we are also promoting the establishment of another airport in the north, in Ramat David. Only in this way can we provide a real response to the growing demand for tourists and air traffic of many millions who come to the country every year, and will come even more, as well as to Israeli citizens flying abroad.
I thank Minister Miri Regev, Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and the man of the South – Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, who worked hand in hand to bring about this important decision.”
Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich: “The simultaneous establishment of airports in Tzalag in the south and in the Ramat David area in the north is a strategic decision that will prevent an aviation crisis. In accordance with the decision we approved, we will allocate the necessary resources for the parallel execution of both projects for the economic resilience of Israel and for strengthening the north and south of Israel.”
Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Miri Regev: “The State of Israel must prepare now for the many loads expected in the future at Ben Gurion Airport as the sole air entry gate to Israel. The establishment of two supplementary international airports is an urgent national, economic, and security necessity.
The decision to promote an airport in the south is a historic decision that will strengthen the periphery and create new growth engines and thousands of new jobs for the residents of the south. This is part of a clear policy of strengthening accessibility, lowering the cost of living, and strengthening national resilience.”
Deputy Minister Almog Cohen: “I want to thank Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for this strategic decision that will ensure the prosperity and flourishing of the Negev! Ben Gurion dreamed and the Prime Minister is fulfilling! Thanks to Minister of Transportation Miri Regev for the long partnership that yielded significant action.
I thank the local leadership in the south for their resilience, vision, and close accompaniment throughout this journey. The strategic location of the airport near the Trans-Israel Highway and near many communities and cities will ensure the continued prosperity of the Negev for generations to come. A national-strategic project of this magnitude is the game-changer we have been waiting for.”
Director General of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety, Moshe Ben Zaken: “The parallel promotion of two international airports is a necessary step to ensure Israel’s infrastructural redundancy. These are complex, long-term projects. Therefore, it is necessary to start acting now, without delay, with a systemic view of the needs of the economy, the economy, and security.”