Haifa Airport infrastructure struggling to handle record passenger numbers

Haifa Airport, from which only the airline Air Haifa operates, is recording passenger records this summer, with the company flying 58,000 passengers in July alone. However, it seems that the airport is not prepared for these quantities, as passengers report long queues, congestion at security checks, and a shortage of seating. Last night, staff at the site had to bring out plastic chairs to allow those waiting to sit.

The airport has two security screening counters, two X-ray machines, and seven check-in counters, but on peak days, such as a Thursday in August, these stations are not enough for the hundreds of passengers visiting the airport. A more serious problem occurs outside the airport, as dozens of vehicles park on the sidewalk, on the sides of the road, and in open areas, thereby blocking sidewalks and bicycle paths. The parking lot at the airport is designed for less than 80 vehicles.

As of today, Air Haifa is the only airline that maintains regular passenger flight activity from the airport. In addition, private flights operate at the site. The dream of flourishing the aviation industry in the north is coming true, but in practice, the infrastructure is not yet prepared to deal with it.

The Israel Airports Authority stated that a new parking lot is currently being built at Haifa Airport, including 900 parking spaces, in light of the increase in the number of passengers. The parking lot will be built on an area of about 20 dunams north of the passenger terminal.

It was further stated:

«The Israel Airports Authority, in cooperation with the Haifa Municipality, is working together to examine solutions for the benefit of the traveling public, including the possibility of operating a public transport line from a parking lot in the city of Haifa directly to the airport, at a high frequency. Until the parking solutions are completed, and out of a desire to reduce the loads, the Authority has launched an information campaign for residents of the area and passengers, calling on them to prefer arriving by public transport as much as possible. The increase in activity at Haifa Airport is a significant development for the north, and we are working to assist as much as possible with all the means at our disposal.»