Decline in passenger traffic at Ben Gurion Airport after YAF blockade

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
Today 13:27

The decrease comes after the Yemeni Armed Forces announced they would impose a comprehensive air blockade on "Israel".

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Travelers pull their luggage as they walk toward Ben Gurion airport after main road entrances to the facility were closed by Israeli Police, following air defense activation against a missile launched from Yemen on May 4, 2025 (AFP)

The number of travelers passing through "Israel's" main Ben Gurion Airport has declined following the cancellation of flights by foreign airlines to the Israeli occupation entity, Israeli Channel 12 reported. The decrease is evident after the Yemeni Armed Forces announced the imposition of a comprehensive air blockade on "Israel".

The announcement came on Sunday, with the Yemeni Armed Forces stating that the blockade would be enforced through repeated targeting of airports, chiefly Lydd Airport, known in "Israel" as Ben Gurion Airport.

At the time, Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree warned all international airlines, urging them to cancel all flights to Israeli airports in order to ensure the safety of their aircraft and passengers.

On the same day, the Yemeni Armed Forces had targeted Ben Gurion Airport with a hypersonic ballistic missile, in solidarity with the Palestinian people and in rejection of the genocide being committed by the Israeli occupation in the Gaza Strip.

According to Saree, the missile successfully struck its target with precision, and both American and Israeli air defense systems failed to intercept it.

"The Yemeni Armed Forces hereby reiterate their warning to all international airlines against continuing their flights to Ben Gurion airport, as it has become unsafe for air traffic," the spokesperson warned.

The attack brought airport operations to a complete halt for over an hour and forced millions of Israeli settlers to take shelter.

A string of airlines, including Lufthansa, Delta, ITA Airways, and Air France, said they had cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv, some of which had been scheduled for Monday or Tuesday.