Aircraft handling at Ben Gurion International Airport

About Ben Gurion Airport

LLBG is the ICAO code for Ben Gurion Airport (IATA TLV), near Lod about 20 km south-east of Tel Aviv. It is Israel's main international airport and is run by the Israel Airports Authority (IAA), which also manages airport security screening.

Airspace and security advisories

Regional conflict has led to airspace restrictions, airline suspensions and short-notice airport closures in recent years. Before every flight, check current NOTAMs, the EASA Conflict Zone Information Bulletins and your own state's advisories. LFS can monitor the situation during the trip, but we do not describe any flight as risk-free or guaranteed. Insurance cover should also be checked with the operator's insurer.

Security screening and passenger handling

Security screening at Ben Gurion is thorough and can take longer than at many airports, including for crew and private passengers. Send full crew and passenger details early, allow extra time before departure, and follow the instructions of the airport's security staff. Procedures change often, so this page only gives general guidance.

Permits for Israel

Foreign non-scheduled flights normally need permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI). Overflights of neighbouring countries on the way in or out need their own permits, and routes can change with the security situation. LFS reviews each case before applying; see landing permits. Response times shown elsewhere on this page are internal planning figures.

Handling, fuel and crew

Handling and fuel are provided by licensed companies at the airport. LFS requests services on the operator's behalf and confirms them in writing; see ground handling and aviation fuel. Crew hotels and transport are covered by crew logistics.

What LFS coordinates for LLBG

• CAAI landing permits and regional overflight permits.
• Handling, catering and fuel release.
• Crew and passenger information for security screening.
• Crew hotels and transport.
• Flight watch and re-planning when airspace changes.

Planning around short-notice changes

At Ben Gurion, the most important planning question is often not the airport itself but whether the route and timing will still work on the day. Arrival and departure routes can change with little notice, airlines may suspend services, and some insurers set their own conditions for flights into the region. Build in time for re-planning, keep an alternate in mind that the operator is willing to use, and agree in advance what happens if the airport closes while the aircraft is on the ground.

LFS tracks NOTAMs and advisories during the trip and can re-plan permits, routing and handling if the situation changes. We cannot override closures or restrictions, and we will not describe a flight as cleared until the authorities and the handler have confirmed it.

Passengers and ground time

Road time from Ben Gurion to central Tel Aviv is usually 20–40 minutes, and to Jerusalem around 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic and security checks. Passengers should carry passports and any required entry authorisation; visitors from visa-exempt countries may need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA-IL). Check current entry rules for every passenger and crew member before departure.

Medical and humanitarian flights may follow different procedures. Tell us the purpose of the flight early so the right permit route can be used.

Catering, hotel and transport suppliers may follow Sabbath and Jewish holiday schedules, when some services are limited from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening. Kosher catering needs to be ordered from a certified supplier with enough notice. Tell us the dates early so we can confirm which services are available and plan around any gaps.

What to send for an LLBG request

• Aircraft type, registration, operator and maximum take-off weight.
• Route, UTC schedule and planned ground time, including any onward legs.
• Flight purpose (private, charter, cargo, medical, technical stop) — it decides the permit category.
• Crew and passenger numbers, and nationalities where visas may matter.
• Services needed: handling, fuel, catering, parking, crew hotel and transport.