Hours before the start of Shabbat, Ben Gurion International Airport became a scene of frustration for thousands of passengers, who were left waiting on aircraft, in departure halls and at baggage claim areas as unusually heavy congestion disrupted the flight schedule.
Passengers heading abroad for vacation and those returning to Israel reported spending hours aboard aircraft after boarding because their luggage had not yet been loaded. Meanwhile, travelers who had already landed in Israel described lengthy waits for their baggage, with families with children forced to remain in the terminal long after arrival.
“The children are already impatient. We’ve been sitting on the plane for hours without knowing when we will take off," passengers said. Others reported waiting for hours beside baggage carousels. Crews on some flights told passengers that departures to Israel were being delayed because of congestion at Ben Gurion.
The Israel Airports Authority rejected claims that the delays were caused by a baggage handlers’ strike, stressing that there are no labor sanctions and “no shortage of workers." The authority said an unusually large backlog of approximately 90 flights accumulated within just three hours, placing significant pressure on baggage handling and other ground operations.
The authority attributed the congestion to a combination of heavy summer traffic and restrictions in European airspace, particularly around Greece, as well as the activity of US aerial refueling aircraft. Around 90,000 passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport today in approximately 600 aircraft movements, making it one of the busiest days of the summer.
The authority explained that flights scheduled to arrive throughout the day can sometimes become concentrated within short periods, creating a surge of aircraft arriving in close succession. This reduces available parking stands and places additional pressure on ground crews, baggage handlers and logistics systems.
The Israel Airports Authority said reinforced teams are working continuously, including in the hot weather, to speed up aircraft and baggage handling and reduce waiting times. It stressed that all available personnel are operating at full capacity and urged passengers to remain patient and understanding.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev said the country is experiencing an especially complex period, with normal summer congestion compounded by security and aviation constraints. She said efforts are continuing to maintain regular flight operations and minimize disruption to passengers, while acknowledging that restrictions in the wider airspace are also affecting operations in Israel.