Travelore News: Israel Set To Approve New International Airport In The Negev

As of February 5, 2026, Israel has reached a major milestone in its aviation history. The government has just announced that a formal resolution to establish a new international airport in the Negev will be brought to the Cabinet for final approval this coming Sunday.

For years, the debate over where to build Israel’s second major international gateway has been a tug-of-war between the North and the South. Today, the desert has won. The Prime Minister’s Office, alongside the Ministries of Transport and Finance, has announced that the new supplementary airport will be built at Ziklag in the northern Negev. Why the Negev? Why Now? The decision to move forward with the Ziklag site (located near the Ziklag archaeological site between Rahat and Netivot) is more than just a logistical fix for a crowded sky. It is a strategic pivot for the entire nation. Alleviating Ben-Gurion: Israel’s main gateway, Ben-Gurion International Airport, is rapidly approaching its capacity of 40 million passengers per year. With projections suggesting up to 80 million travelers by 2050, the need for a secondary hub has become a "national necessity."

Ending the "Periphery": Transport Minister Miri Regev has hailed this as a "historic decision" that will transform the south from a "periphery" into a central growth hub. The project is expected to create thousands of new jobs and attract massive investment to the region.
Security & Resilience: In the wake of recent conflicts, diversifying Israel's aviation entries is seen as vital for national security. The site is symbolically located just miles from the areas affected by the October 7th attacks, signaling a commitment to long-term prosperity and recovery for southern communities.

The Ziklag Project: By the Numbers

The new airport is designed to be a modern, high-tech facility that complements rather than replaces the central hub.
Feature-Estimated Impact
Annual Capacity: Up to 10 million passengers
Estimated Cost: 7 billion shekels
Projected Timeline: Approximately 10 years for completion

Job Creation: Thousands of direct and indirect roles

A Hard-Fought Decision

The road to Ziklag wasn’t easy. For a long time, the Nevatim airbase was the frontrunner for a southern airport, but it faced significant pushback from the Defense Ministry due to its proximity to sensitive F-35 fighter jet operations. Simultaneously, residents in the Jezreel Valley campaigned heavily against a northern alternative at Ramat David to protect the region’s agricultural landscape.

By choosing Ziklag, the government has found a middle ground that balances military needs with the urgent demand for civilian aviation growth.

What’s Next?

The formal vote by the Cabinet on Sunday, February 8, 2026, is expected to be a "green light" for the planning phases to begin in earnest. While experts suggest it will be a decade before the first flight departs from Ziklag, the message is clear: the Negev is no longer just a desert—it is the future of Israel’s connection to the world.