At the beginning of the 90s, the airport witnessed the huge wave of immigration that arrived from the Soviet Union. As part of the preparations to receive this influx, an immigration absorption hall was established. At that time, direct flights from the U.S.S.R. started arriving (October 1991).

In the wake of the increase in passengers and freight traffic at the airport, the Authority commenced organizing for the establishment of the new terminal that would provide passengers with the best available aviation services. In January 1994, the Government of Israel, headed by Yitzhak Rabin, took the decision for the establishment of Terminal 3, within the framework of gearing up for the third millennium.

On 25 October, 1998, about 5 years after the decision for the establishment of the additional terminal was taken, the corner stone was laid for the Terminal 3 building, in the presence of the Minister of Transport and a large group of dignitaries.