Israel Airports Authority published a major tender today (Wednesday) for a massive expansion of Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion Airport, led by Transportation and Road Safety Minister Brig. Gen. (res.) Miri Regev. The dramatic move comes as passenger traffic continues to climb and international airlines return to Israel. It’s one of the largest and most significant infrastructure projects undertaken at Ben Gurion in recent years, designed to increase the airport’s ground capacity to roughly 40 million passengers a year.
1+The project will build a new wing on the eastern side of Terminal 3, covering about 63,000 square meters, significantly expanding Ben Gurion’s capacity and service capabilities. The project includes two main structures: an expanded terminal building (GT1)—a new four-story structure spanning roughly 41,000 square meters that will include spacious passenger halls, about 86 new check-in counters joining the existing 120, retail and duty-free areas, restaurants, offices, training rooms, storage facilities, technical rooms, and protected spaces.
The second structure is an advanced baggage screening and sorting facility (DP3)—a state-of-the-art logistics building covering about 22,000 square meters that will house Ben Gurion’s new screening and sorting system. The building will include an operational hall, mezzanine level, offices, storage facilities, rest rooms, locker rooms, technical rooms, and protected spaces, constructed from concrete with high-quality architectural finishes. The ground-level expansion of Terminal 3 is an integral part of Ben Gurion’s overall development plan, alongside construction of the fifth pier, and is designed to meet the expected growth in passenger traffic in coming decades.
1+Transportation and Road Safety Minister Miri Regev addressed the move: “The open skies policy, along with the return of airlines and expected growth in flight demand, require us to continue investing in Israel’s aviation infrastructure. The Terminal 3 expansion is a strategic investment that will ensure the public receives advanced, safe, and efficient service in the years ahead.”
Israel Airports Authority Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Yiftach Ron-Tal emphasized the project’s importance: “The Terminal 3 expansion project reflects our commitment to ensuring the State of Israel is strategically prepared for the coming decades. We are investing today in national infrastructure that will allow Ben Gurion to continue serving as Israel’s main gateway, while maintaining the highest standards of safety, security, and service.”