Passengers heading to Ben Gurion Airport are encountering growing frustration even before entering the terminal, as parking lots near Terminal 3 are repeatedly filling to capacity and closing during peak travel periods. Despite efforts by the Israel Airports Authority to ease congestion, soaring demand continues to overwhelm the airport’s parking system.

Last week, the Israel Airports Authority reported a record-breaking day at Ben Gurion Airport, with approximately 101,000 travelers passing through the facility. The unusually high volume of passengers caused the short-term parking lots adjacent to Terminal 3 to reach full capacity and temporarily close. According to a Ynet report, this has become an almost daily occurrence as demand for convenient parking consistently exceeds available spaces.

The overcrowding is not simply the result of limited parking capacity. Many drivers specifically choose the lots closest to the terminal because they allow direct access without relying on shuttle buses and also offer covered parking. By comparison, long-term parking areas include many uncovered spaces and require shuttle transportation, even though parking fees differ between the options.

One of the main issues contributing to the shortage is that many drivers are using short-term parking lots for extended stays. The Israel Airports Authority’s website states that vehicles left in short-term parking for more than 24 hours are subject to towing at the owner’s expense. In practice, however, the policy is not consistently enforced, allowing many motorists to leave their vehicles well beyond the intended time limit.

For many travelers, remaining in the more convenient short-term lots is still worthwhile despite the rules. Drivers simply pay the parking fee, with the daily maximum reaching 135 shekels during peak periods and 100 shekels during regular periods. Many view that cost as a reasonable tradeoff for the convenience, particularly during the busy vacation season.

The Airports Authority also faces legal limitations because leaving a vehicle in a short-term lot beyond 24 hours is not a violation of Israeli law. Although it breaches airport parking regulations, drivers are generally not fined, unlike in some other parking facilities throughout the country where overstaying may result in penalties.

When the short-term lots fill up and close, drivers are redirected to long-term parking areas or to a designated waiting lot, where they can remain for up to one hour free of charge. For those making brief visits to pick up or drop off passengers, this often means taking airport shuttle buses, increasing inconvenience while adding pressure to both the shuttle system and airport traffic.

Another challenge involves the pricing structure of the long-term lots. Drivers entering those facilities are charged for an entire day, with a daily rate of 50 shekels and no discounted option for parking just a few hours. As a result, even motorists simply dropping off or collecting passengers often use the main parking system, adding to congestion.

Parking shortages are only one part of the heavy congestion currently affecting Ben Gurion Airport. Flight delays are averaging roughly an hour, while passengers are experiencing lengthy waits for check-in, baggage drop-off, and security screening. After arriving in Israel, baggage claim can also take nearly 90 minutes.

Ben Gurion Airport operates several parking facilities offering approximately 20,000 parking spaces in total. However, only about 2,000 of those are designated as short-term spaces located adjacent to Terminal 3. An additional parking facility serving both short-term and long-term needs is located near Terminal 1.

In an effort to ease congestion, the Airports Authority introduced a new service this year at the parking area near Terminal 3 that allows drivers to wait for up to one hour free of charge. The goal is to encourage those picking up passengers to avoid occupying spaces in the premium parking lots.

The system is designed so drivers remain in their vehicles until they receive confirmation that the arriving passenger has landed, then proceed directly to the designated pickup zone. In practice, however, many drivers still prefer to park and personally accompany travelers into or out of the terminal.

That limited interest in the waiting lot was evident during last weekend’s record-setting travel day, when occupancy at the facility reached only about 30% despite the airport’s exceptionally high passenger traffic.

Drivers who choose the waiting lot can access Terminal 1 directly, but those heading to Terminal 3 must use a shuttle bus. The Airports Authority continues encouraging the public to take advantage of the service, saying it can help reduce congestion while lowering transportation costs.

Short-term parking is priced at half a shekel per minute, with the first 15 minutes free. The daily maximum is 135 shekels during peak periods and 100 shekels during normal periods. Vehicles remaining in the waiting lot for more than one hour are charged 30 shekels for the first hour beyond the free period, followed by half a shekel for each additional minute.

Meanwhile, the Israel Airports Authority has issued a new tender for the management and operation of Ben Gurion Airport’s parking system. The project is intended to improve the efficiency of existing parking facilities rather than construct new ones.

Responding to the growing complaints, the Airports Authority said it currently offers three parking options tailored to different needs: long-term parking for travelers leaving vehicles for several days at a cost of 50 shekels per day, with complimentary shuttle service every 15 minutes; short-term parking adjacent to the terminals with hourly rates up to a daily maximum of 135 shekels; and a new waiting lot offering one hour of free parking for those picking up arriving passengers.

The authority added that the pricing structure is designed to encourage extended stays in the less expensive long-term lots while preserving short-term spaces for brief visits. It acknowledged that demand for parking near the terminals is especially high during the summer travel season and said that when those lots reach capacity, drivers are directed to alternative parking areas where spaces remain available. The Airports Authority also urged travelers and those accompanying them to use Israel Railways and other public transportation whenever possible, while recommending that drivers collecting passengers take advantage of the dedicated free waiting lot.

{Matzav.com}