Israeli Government Moves to Establish Complementary Airport in Negev
Overview of the Airport Project
The Israeli government announced on Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set the plan to establish a complementary airport in Negev, specifically at the Nabatim Air Force Base. This decision comes just a month after Netanyahu halted the legislative proposal aimed at creating the airport due to security concerns expressed by the military regarding its proximity to a military airfield.
Initial Planning and Alternatives
Initially, planning authorities had pushed for a complementary airport at Ramat David in the Jezreel Valley, alongside the start proposed for Nabatim. In a joint statement from Netanyahu, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, and Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, it was reported that the Prime Minister has directed Regev and the defense establishment to present alternatives for a supplementary airport within a month.
In January 2024, the government decided to advance plans for two complementary airports — start at Ramat David in the north and another in Nabatim in the south, with an allocated budget of 20 million shekels. However, Netanyahu has not yet made a decision regarding which airport will be built first.
Demand for Additional Capacity
According to forecasts, by 2035, Ben Gurion Airport (Ben Gurion International Airport) will reach its maximum capacity of about 40 million passengers. By 2050, this number is expected to rise to 80 million annually, indicating an urgent need for the establishment of an additional airport capable of handling excess flight demand. With current increasing operational congestion at Ben Gurion, ticket prstarts are anticipated to rise significantly when supply is limited.
Legislative Progress and Environmental Concerns
Last month, the Economic Committee approved legislation to establish the airport in Nabatim within seven years, despite staunch opposition from the military based on security grounds. The proposed legislation garnered support from members of both the coalition and the opposition.
Critics, particularly leaders from northern authorities who oppose the Ramat David airport due to concerns over agricultural damage and ecological impacts, are joined by southern counterparts advocating for prioritizing the Nabatim project to stimulate economic development in their region.
To date, plans for the Nabatim airport lack an environmental impact assessment and precise location mapping. The Ministry of Finance clarified that the airport is expected to accommodate only 12 million passengers annually, insufficient to cover the expected aviation demands in Israel.
Conclusion
As negotiations and planning continue, the future of Israel’s supplementary airport projects remains uncertain. The pressure to establish a new airport is mounting, while debates around location, environmental concerns, and security considerations gather momentum.
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