Just after it was reported that Israel’s major international airport, Ben Gurion had seen its 20 millionth traveler pass through its gates this year, it was announced that the airport will undergo upgrades and expansions that will cost some $1.43 billion.

The Israel Airport Authority (IAA) announced the plans on Monday to upgrade the airport significantly, as projected statistics have shown that the gateway to Israel will see a 50 percent increase in travel in just five years time. This estimate brings the incredible amount of people to Israel six years prior to its original expected date of 2030.

The upgrades are set to include 86 additional regular check-in stations, numerous additional self-check-in stations, six additional luggage screening machines and eight passenger boarding bridges and two additional shuttle gates. All of this will be added to Terminal Three.

The IAA is also about to undertake the construction of a completely new terminal, Terminal  2, which is scheduled to absorb domestic flights after the closure of Tel Aviv’s Sde Dov airport, according to a report which appeared in Globes magazine.

According to the Transportation Ministry and Ben Gurion’s Directorship, the amount of passengers expected to pass through the gates of the airport in 2018 will already rise by more than 10 percent to 23 million people.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)