Haifa Airport

Tucked between the bustling Kishon Port and the formidable Israel Shipyards sits Haifa Airport. It’s also known as Uri Michaeli Airport, a tribute to a pioneer of Jewish aviation. Haifa Airport isn’t just a gateway to Haifa. It’s a hub woven into the fabric of Israel’s aviation history. The airport’s story begins in 1934 under the British Mandate. Initially serving the British Army and the Iraqi-British oil company APS, it quickly became the first international airport in the region. Imagine the thrill of early air travel as Imperial Airways touched down, connecting Haifa to Alexandria in 1931 and Baghdad in 1932. By 1938, Haifa Airport handled a third of all flights into Mandatory Palestine, buzzing with connections to Beirut, Cyprus, Brindisi, and Trieste. However, the roar of engines shifted during World War II. Civilian flights were grounded, and the airport became RAF Haifa, a strategic base for Royal Air Force operations in the Middle East. Squadrons like No. 6 with their Hawker Hardy planes and No. 80 with their Hawker Hurricane Is were stationed here. The airport later played a crucial role in Israel’s early years, reopening for passenger traffic in 1948 with Cyprus Airways leading the way, followed by Arkia Israel Airlines a decade later. Haifa Airport earned its international status in 1994, opening doors to Europe and beyond. Israir, Aeroel, and Royal Wings expanded its reach, connecting Haifa to destinations like Jordan and Egypt. A new terminal opened in 1998. Today, Haifa Airport continues to evolve. Though passenger numbers fluctuated between 1999 and 2007, the airport remains a vital link, particularly for the northern region of Israel. With plans to extend its runway in the 2020s, Haifa Airport looks towards a future of expanded connectivity. You can easily reach Haifa Airport by Egged bus lines 18 and 100, or by car via Highway 4 and Highway 22. Free parking is available. As you stand here, at the crossroads of past and future, take a moment to appreciate Haifa Airport’s enduring legacy.