New Negev Airport Approved to Boost Southern Israel’s Economy

In a landmark move for southern Israel, the Knesset’s Economic Affairs Committee unanimously advanced plans on Sunday for a new international airport to be built near Be’er Sheva, marking a major step forward in the long-promised development of the Negev.

The proposed airport, to be located in Moshav Nevatim, is expected to be completed within seven years and will be capable of handling up to 15 million passengers annually. The project is poised to become a cornerstone of Israel’s long-term infrastructure vision, while dramatically revitalizing the Negev region.

“This bill is a game-changer for the future of the Negev, which has endured years of unfulfilled promises,” said Dimona Mayor Benny Biton, voicing the excitement shared by many local leaders. “The widespread support for this bill is clear proof that there is a deep understanding the Negev is the future growth and development hub of Israel in the coming decades.”

The airport is expected to create 50,000 jobs, offering a significant economic injection into one of Israel’s most strategically important yet historically underdeveloped regions. It also aims to ease the strain on Ben-Gurion International Airport, which handled a record 24 million passengers in 2019, and is expected to face demand of up to 80 million passengers annually by 2050.

While the plan has drawn criticism from military officials over its proximity to the Nevatim Air Force base, civilian authorities are pushing ahead, citing urgent national infrastructure needs and economic opportunity.

Israel is also planning to expand Ramon Airport near Eilat and has recently completed upgrades to Haifa International Airport, reflecting a broader effort to modernize and diversify the country’s aviation network.

This ambitious project signals a strong commitment to making the Negev a central player in Israel’s future economically, strategically, and demographically.

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