Ahead of the Tishrei holidays: These are the destinations Israelis are storming
Israelis are flooding the airport in droves on their way to summer and holiday vacations, with one of the most popular destinations in Europe recording an unprecedented jump in demand compared to last year.
The summer season of 2026 is setting new records in the Israeli aviation industry, as the public floods Ben Gurion Airport in droves on their way to vacations abroad. The intense desire to get away, alongside an expanded supply of flights, is creating massive congestion that does not stop in the summer and is already spilling over directly into families' vacation planning for the Tishrei holidays.
According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, a record of about 1.30 million departures abroad was recorded in July — a sharp jump of about 26% compared to last year. Larnaca (145,000) and Athens (140,000) topped the list of destinations, while Rome recorded a jump of about 92% in demand. On the other hand, inbound tourism remained at a low with only about 110,000 visitors — a gap of almost 12 departing Israelis for every tourist entering.
These loads are continuing directly into the Tishrei holidays, where three categories stand out: nearby beach vacations in Greece and Cyprus, city breaks in Eastern Europe, and long trips to distant destinations. Tamar Gerzon, CEO of Gulliver, explains:
"Families no longer choose a vacation just by destination, but by the exact type of vacation that suits them."
According to her, the combination of comfort, direct flights, and value for money has become an integral part of the selection process.
Aviation data proves that the Israelis' joy of travel has returned in full force. The change in consumption habits and early planning for the holidays ensure that the congestion at Ben Gurion Airport will break further records and establish 2026 as one of the busiest and most turbulent years in the history of aviation in Israel.
