Israel's Air Navigation Regulations (Aerodromes: Physical Characteristics and Aerodrome Operation), 5786-2026, published in Kovetz Ha-Takanot 12417 on June 3, 2026 by the Minister of Transport and overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), apply from October 3, 2026. The regulations implement ICAO Annex 14 physical, visual-aid, electrical, maintenance and operational-service standards for licensed aerodromes and make a Director-approved aerodrome manual mandatory under regulation 133.
Holders of an Israeli aerodrome operating licence, the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) and licensed airstrip operators must operate the licensed aerodrome only under a Director-approved aerodrome manual and meet the Annex 14-aligned physical, visual-aid, electrical, maintenance and operational-service rules by October 3, 2026, or risk suspension or revocation of the operating licence and a prohibition on operating the aerodrome under the Air Navigation Law 5771-2011.
- Deadline : October 3, 2026 (application of the 2026 Aerodromes Regulations, four months after publication in Kovetz Ha-Takanot 12417)
- Who : holders of an Israeli aerodrome operating licence, the Israel Airports Authority and licensed airstrip operators
- What : operate only under a Director-approved aerodrome manual and meet Annex 14-aligned physical, visual-aid, electrical, maintenance and operational-service rules
- Otherwise : licence suspension or revocation and a prohibition on operating the aerodrome under the Air Navigation Law 5771-2011
- Official source : Air Navigation Regulations 5786-2026, KT 12417 (gov.il)
What is due on October 3, 2026
From October 3, 2026, every holder of an Israeli aerodrome operating licence must operate the licensed aerodrome only under a Director-approved aerodrome manual and meet the Annex 14-aligned physical, visual-aid, electrical, maintenance and operational-service standards of the Air Navigation Regulations (Aerodromes: Physical Characteristics and Aerodrome Operation), 5786-2026, including regulation 133. The Minister of Transport signed the regulations on May 20, 2026, published them in Kovetz Ha-Takanot 12417 on June 3, 2026, and set a four-month commencement to October 3, 2026.
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| April 13, 2011 | Air Navigation Law 5771-2011 enters into force; Sign ו' requires a CAAI licence to operate aerodromes and airstrips |
| May 20, 2026 | Minister of Transport signs the 2026 Aerodromes Regulations |
| June 3, 2026 | Regulations published in Kovetz Ha-Takanot 12417 |
| October 3, 2026 | General application, four months after publication |
The same Kovetz Ha-Takanot package amends aeronautical-information and safety-management regulations and sets ATM-unit operation rules, repealing the 1992 IAA aerodrome-safety regulations for ATM-unit holders with transitional recognition of existing manuals. Under regulation 179(b), specified planning-related provisions apply later for aerodromes that already held an approved statutory aerodrome plan on the publication day.
Who is covered
The obligations bind every holder of a CAAI aerodrome operating licence, covering three groups by market exposure. The Israel Airports Authority operates the major public aerodromes, Ben Gurion, Ramon and Eilat, subject to a CAAI licence and these technical rules. Licensed aerodrome operators hold a CAAI operating licence issued when physical layout, safety areas, fencing, marking and related infrastructure ensure safe operation. Licensed airstrip operators, who apply online for an operating licence with survey, obstacle and procedure packs, are also in scope.
Under the Air Navigation Law 5771-2011, Sign ו' (sections 31-33), no person may operate an aerodrome or airstrip, or permit take-off, landing or operation of aircraft thereon, except under a CAAI Director licence. The transitional recognition of existing manuals for ATM-unit holders and the regulation 179(b) planning delay for aerodromes with an approved statutory aerodrome plan are the only carve-outs the regulations state.
What to do before October 3, 2026
- Obtain Director approval of the aerodrome manual under regulation 133, if one is not already in force.
- Verify physical characteristics, including runways, taxiways, safety areas, fencing and marking, against the Annex 14 standards the 2026 regulations adopt.
- Check visual aids and electrical systems, including lighting and signs, for Annex 14 compliance.
- Confirm maintenance programmes and operational-service standards meet the 2026 regulations.
- For ATM-unit holders, confirm whether transitional recognition of an existing manual applies, or prepare a new Director approval.
- For aerodromes with an approved statutory aerodrome plan, identify which planning-related provisions are delayed under regulation 179(b).
What happens otherwise
From October 3, 2026, operating a licensed aerodrome without a Director-approved manual and Annex 14-compliant infrastructure breaches the Air Navigation Law 5771-2011 and the 2026 Regulations, risking suspension or revocation of the operating licence and a prohibition on operating the aerodrome. The CAAI Aerodromes and Building-Restrictions Division licenses and oversees aerodromes and airstrips and enforces obstacle and land-use controls. Continuous, per-jurisdiction monitoring surfaces a commencement or amendment the moment it publishes in Reshumot.
