Construction approved: Proposed airport to be constructed in close proximity to Rahat
In a significant development, the Prime Minister has officially decided to build a supplementary airport to Ben Gurion Airport near the city of Rahat, most likely in the Tze'elim area. This decision follows opposition from the security establishment to an alternative location in the Negev.
The announcement was made following a special meeting held today (Sunday) in July 2025, attended by the Prime Minister, heads of the security establishment, representatives from various ministries, and Deputy Minister Almog Cohen.
The meeting's outcome marks a shift in the plans for the new airport, as it is no longer being considered as the Negev alternative. Instead, the proposed location for the new airport remains the Tze'elim area.
The construction of the new airport will involve the Civil Aviation Authority, Israel National Roads Company, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environmental Protection, and Deputy Minister Almog Cohen. The Ministry of Environmental Protection's participation underscores the government's commitment to sustainable development in the aviation sector.
While no specific timeline for the completion of the new airport has been given, it is not expected to be before the end of this decade. The new airport's construction is expected to take longer due to the lack of appropriate infrastructure at the designated site.
Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, who previously resigned from his position due to the failure to promote the Negev alternative, retracted his resignation following a conversation with the Prime Minister. The conversation between the two occurred prior to the retracting of Cohen's resignation.
The decision to build the new airport near Rahat is expected to have implications for the timeline and location of the new airport's construction. The strategic choice of the Tze'elim region near Rahat indicates a clear governmental directive aimed at expanding airport infrastructure to support growing national and regional needs alongside Ben Gurion Airport.
The military infrastructure is already in place at the Negev Airbase, but it was not specified as the Negev alternative for the new airport. The new airport is not being built at the Negev Airbase.
In summary, the Prime Minister has confirmed the decision to build the new airport near Rahat, most likely in the Tze'elim area. The airport's construction is expected to commence soon, with no explicit timeline beyond this point disclosed publicly yet.
[1] The Times of Israel [2] Ynet News
- The construction of the new airport, overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority, Israel National Roads Company, and the Ministries of Transport, Finance, and Environmental Protection, is expected to involve significant financial commitments.
- The decision to build the new airport near Rahat, when combined with growing national and regional needs, could potentially lead to increased demand for transportation infrastructure in the surrounding areas.
