If this is a recession, then how is it that 435,000 passengers are expected to pass through Ben-Gurion Airport during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot? On some 2,800 flights no less. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be the busiest, according to YNET, with more than 50,000 travelers in 24 hours.
Travel overseas is good news for agents and airlines, though less so for hotels and tourist destinations in Israel which can always use the added business. But in any case, the hotels here are all full with visitors from abroad who come every year for the high holiday season (we rented out our apartment for two weeks during Sukkot a few years ago and made enough to finance most of the trip!)
Where are Israelis going? Despite a downturn earlier due to its leaders’ criticism of Israel during Operation Cast Lead, Turkey is at the top of the list with about 500 flights and 70,000 passengers. The United States comes in second with 167 flights and 38,000 passengers. Then there’s Germany (about 196 flights and 34,000 passengers); Italy (239 flights and 32,000 passengers); and England (142 flights and 27,000 passengers).
And oh yes, while you’re waiting, there’s a sukka in Terminal 3 (it’ between Gates 2 and 3).