Island-bound flights spike as 90,000 more Israelis return to vote

A net 90,000 more passengers entered Israel than left between October 17 and 27, 2026, according to figures reported by Channel 13. The data marks a distinct shift in travel patterns as the country prepares for the Knesset election on October 27.

The station compared airport traffic at Ben-Gurion Airport across three years. Departures dropped to approximately 245,000 in 2026. That total compares to roughly 270,000 in 2025 and 323,000 in 2022, the last general election. The decline occurred despite an increase in available aircraft and flight options compared to previous years.

Arrivals outpaced departures by more than 90,000 in 2026. The gap was about 77,000 in the same period in 2025. No special airlifts were organized for the returnees. Instead, travelers used existing aviation capacity to re-enter the country.

Channel 13 estimated that 90,000 people equate to roughly two Knesset seats if all were eligible voters who cast valid ballots. The airport totals include children and foreign nationals who cannot vote. The data does not specify how many passengers returned specifically to cast ballots.

The electoral threshold for the upcoming vote is 3.25% of valid votes. The 120 Knesset seats are allocated proportionally to parties that clear this line. Small changes in turnout could determine which parties secure representation.

The trend aligns with a Fly&Vote survey conducted by the AID Coalition. The group estimated that 67,000 Israelis living abroad planned to travel home to vote. Most citizens abroad cannot vote remotely and must return to Israel. The coalition’s assistance efforts were restricted after legal proceedings initiated by Likud.

Alon Ben-Gurion, grandson of the first prime minister, arrived from the United States with his family to vote in Tiberias. Dedicated flights from New York and Lisbon were arranged in August to meet demand from Israelis overseas.