The number of travelers passing through Ben-Gurion International Airport on international flights was 9.6% higher in 2008 than in 2007. Out of 11,071,588 international air travelers, the number of passengers entering Israel in 2008 stood at 5,520,700, and departing passenger traffic totaled 5,555,887.

International flight traffic also showed a significant rise of 11% over 2007, with 82,654 flights.

The principal destination countries for flights departing from Ben-Gurion Airport in 2008 were the United States, Turkey and France. The United States registered a 0.21% decrease in total operating volume with a total quantity of 1,418,599 travelers in 2008. Turkey registered a 17.75% increase with 1,336,260 travelers, and France registered a 9.6% increase in overall operating volume with 866,541 travelers.

The principal destinations for departing and arriving flights were Antalya with 762,285 passengers, constituting an increase of 17.19% compared to the previous year; Paris – Charles De Gaulle Airport with 744,655 passengers, an increase of 3.35%; and London – Heathrow Airport with 628,411 passengers, a 15.3% increase in passenger traffic compared with 2007.

The airlines with the largest operating volume were El Al, which registered a decrease of 3.12% in its overall operating volume compared with 2007, with 3,572,370 passengers; Onur Air with 475,301 passengers, constituting a 22.8% decrease in flight volume; and Arkia, with 416,349 passengers, comprising an increase of 20.9% in its operating volume.

Airports Authority Director General Kobi Mor said: "The Airports Authority puts safety, security and passenger service as its highest priority. The Airports Authority will invest NIS 3.7 billion over the next few years in furthering these objectives. The year 2008 has established Ben-Gurion International Airport's place among the airports with the highest level of service and security in the world."