Ben Gurion International Airport

How draft evaders beat Ben Gurion Airport controls

Investigation reveals alleged loopholes allowing haredi draft evaders barred from leaving Israel to bypass border controls and board flights abroad.

After airport strike chaos

Airports Authority targets union chairman

Two days after chaos at Ben Gurion Airport, the Airports Authority moves against union chairman Pinchas Idan and seeks review of his term extension.

Airport union chief warns Ben Gurion chaos could return

Ben Gurion Airport could face renewed disruptions as Israel Airports Authority union chairman Pinchas Idan refuses to guarantee the crisis is over and blames management for the airport’s manpower shortage.

Ben Gurion chaos continues

Passengers face major delays, hours-long baggage waits, as fallout from the airport strike continues into Friday morning.

Ben Gurion strike fallout

Netanyahu orders removal of Airport Workers’ chief from Likud

Netanyahu’s associates furious over the move by Pinchas Idan, chairman of the Israel Airports Authority workers’ union, prompting the Prime Minister to order his removal from Likud.

Ben Gurion Airport disruptions targeted Miri Regev

Senior Israel Airports Authority officials claim that workers’ committee chairman Pinchas Idan planned to disrupt the Transportation Minister’s flight to Morocco, but ultimately postponed the strike by one day.

Netanyahu’s warning after Ben Gurion Airport chaos

The Prime Minister addressed the surprise strike and severe disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport and made clear that the airport would operate normally.

After hours of chaos, airport to gradually resume operations

Ground service workers halt passenger handling during the busiest travel period of the year, arrivals grind to complete stop.

Passengers trapped on hot plane for 2 hours

A summer flight to Crete turned into a nightmare as passengers, including young children, were left waiting inside a Bluebird aircraft without air conditioning for nearly two hours.

Chaos at Ben Gurion Airport:

90,000 passengers and an unusual backlog of flights

Delays, mishandled luggage and long waits leave families stranded at Ben Gurion Airport. The Airports Authority denies a strike, citing unusually heavy flight traffic and restrictions in European airspace.

Flights grounded as drone enters Ben Gurion Airport's airspace

Following the detection of the aircraft, flights were temporarily halted.

Passenger refuses to fly due to Shabbat

A Wizz Air flight from Rome to Ben Gurion Airport, which was due to depart, was delayed by several hours after an unusual incident occurred on the ground, minutes before takeoff.

Report: US begins removing refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion

US Air Force reportedly begins relocating some of its aerial refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport, following pressure to ease congestion ahead of one of the busiest travel months since October 7.

Damaged U.S. refueling aircraft departs Israel at last

Four and a half months after making an emergency landing at Ben-Gurion Airport following an air collision over Iraq, the American refueling aircraft took off back to the United States.

Israeli detained in Bulgaria after M16 magazine found in luggage

Israeli detained in Bulgaria after M16 magazine found in luggage; questions raised after same bag passed through Ben Gurion Airport days earlier without detection.

'To Uman, not the military': Haredim protest at airport

Breslov hassidim protested at Ben Gurion Airport, demanding draft evaders be allowed to fly to Uman as fears of arrests before Rosh Hashanah grow.

No boarding: Israel cracks down on Uman-bound draft evaders

Israel blocks key loophole allowing haredi draft evaders under exit bans to board flights, new system expected to take effect ahead of Jewish New Year.

Japanese Ben-Gurion airport terrorist dies in Beirut

Kozo Okamoto was the sole surviving attacker from the terrorist cell that carried out the massacre on May 30, 1972, at Lod Airport, now known as Ben Gurion International Airport.

Airports Authority promises: Flights won't be canceled

Airports Authority chairman Yiftah Ron-Tal says Israel has no plans to close its airspace, pledging to keep flights operating despite US refueling planes parking at airport.

Airports Authority Director

'We'll have to cancel flights if any more refueling planes come'

Israel Airports Authority Director General Sharon Kedmi says that Ben Gurion Airport will not be able to operate all of its planned flights if it receives additional American refueling planes.

US military planes at Ben Gurion

Fears of severe disruptions to civilian flight schedule

The Minister of Transportation is scheduled to hold a situational assessment at Ben Gurion Airport following an official US request to deploy dozens of additional aerial refueling tankers to Israel.

US refueling planes to move to IAF bases

IDF confirms US will increase number of refueling planes sent to Israel, but says they will park at IAF bases instead of Ben Gurion International Airport.

Israelis arrested on plane

'Hope you suffer another October 7'

Three men arrested on a Lufthansa flight at Ben Gurion Airport for disruptive behavior and assaulting officers, with one suspect invoking October 7 during the arrest.

US tankers cleared to continue landing at Ben-Gurion

The restriction on U.S. military refueling aircraft landing at Ben Gurion Airport has been lifted following a sharp protest from the United States.

50,000 plane tickets at risk of cancellation

Israel Airports Authority warns lack of parking space at airport may cause significant disruptions to civil aviation, urges US military to complete removal of refueling planes.

Air Haifa to launch Tel Aviv-Eilat flight route

Air Haifa to operate up to 10 daily flights between Ben Gurion International Airport and Ramon Airport in Eilat, airline announces.

Transportation Ministry

'No flights will be cancelled at Ben Gurion'

Transportation Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken estimates that the crisis involving US refueling crews at Ben Gurion Airport is close to being resolved

Israir’s first A330 aircraft lands in Israel

Israir’s first A330 aircraft landed at Ben Gurion Airport, as part of preparations to launch the direct route to New York in early August.

US begins reducing forces at Ben Gurion Airport

The United States military is preparing to withdraw some of the tanker aircraft stationed in Israel, which constitute about 20% of the fleet deployed in recent months at Ben Gurion and Ramon airports.

Ben Gurion Airport warns of possible summer flight cancellations

Airports Authority CEO Sharon Kedmi warns that summer and High Holiday flight cancellations may be unavoidable unless US cargo aircraft vacate parking stands at Ben Gurion Airport.

El Al employees save man suffering cardiac arrest at airport

A 74-year-old man collapsed and went into cardiac arrest at Ben Gurion Airport duty-free on his way to a flight to Greece. Two El Al MDA volunteers arrived within a minute.

Israel denies entry to antisemitic American YouTuber

Minister Amichai Chikli said Tyler Oliveira was denied entry over alleged antisemitic content and incitement against Jews and Israel.

Man arriving with wife's coffin arrested for draft evasion

Yosef Haim Shriki, whose wife passed away on Passover, is detained upon arrival in Israel on suspicion of draft evasion.

Foreign airlines return to Israel

Following the announcement of a ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran, international airlines have begun announcing their return to Tel Aviv.

Ben Gurion Airport: Suspicious package found, personnel evacuated

Firefighters responding to monitor suspicious package in hazardous materials incident at Ben Gurion International Airport.

Arkia calls Israel’s new flight limits effective airspace closure

Following the Ministry of Transport’s cap of 50 passengers per flight, Arkia says regular operations from Ben Gurion Airport are no longer feasible and will shift most flights to Aqaba and Taba while maintaining limited humanitarian routes.

Due to missile attacks:

Major cuts in outbound flights from Israel

Ben Gurion Airport limits outbound flights to 50 passengers and reduces traffic amid Iranian attacks, disrupting travel ahead of Passover.

Dramatic recommendation:

Close Ben Gurion Airport immediately due to missile threat

Aviation officials call for Israel's main international airport to be closed just a week and a half before Passover holiday as Iran continues to launch missiles at the country.

Ben Gurion Airport

Three private jets damaged by missile fragments in recent days

Three private passenger aircraft were damaged by fallen missile fragments while parked at the airport, with one catching fire.

Ben Gurion Airport:

Israel increases flight capacity to bring stranded citizens home

Israel Airports Authority increases flight capacity to allow 120 passengers on narrow-body flights, to speed up the return of Israelis stranded abroad, as President Herzog warmly welcomes arrivals.

Total chaos

Overnight rule change nearly sparks riot at Ben Gurion Airport

Passengers at Ben Gurion Airport were left stranded and angry after overnight rule changes cut flight capacity, sparking chaos and police intervention.

Starting Sunday: Israeli airlines to fly out of Israel

Israel to allow limited outbound flights from Ben Gurion starting Sunday, with departures capped at about 70 passengers per flight, Transportation Ministry announces.

On Thursday

Ben Gurion Airport resumes operations, El Al to return Israelis

The Minister of Transportation announced the plan to reopen the airport for the return of Israelis stranded abroad-while minimizing the risk to passengers and crews.

Smiles and selfies

New video challenges Carlson’s story

Social media video shows Carlson smiling and embracing security staff, as officials deny his claims of detention and passport confiscation.

Watch:

What really happened when Tucker got 'detained' in Israel

Comedian Ami Kozak provides a realistic portrayal of the routine security inspection at Ben Gurion Airport, which American political commentator Tucker Carlson claimed to be 'detention.'

Caught in a lie?

Tucker Carlson claims detention. US Emb: Routine passport control

Carlson alleges detention after Huckabee interview; US Embassy denies claim, says routine security checks applied at Ben Gurion.

Government approves:

Supplementary airport to be built in the Negev

Decision aims to prevent aviation bottlenecks and strengthen emergency preparedness as air traffic continues to surge.

Breakthrough for Wizz Air in Israel

An inter-ministerial committee has decided to lift the restriction on overnight parking for foreign airlines at Ben Gurion Airport, a move that could enable Wizz Air to establish an operational base in Israel.

For the first time

Bus line between Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport on Saturdays

Route 711 between Tel Aviv and Shoham will add a stop at the airport, and rides on the line will be free. Organizers emphasize: 'Not a political statement.'

Due to a 'joke':

IAF planes called to escort Wizz Air plane

Fighter planes called to escort Wizz Air flight after son plays 'joke' on his parents' phone.

Palestinian arrested after breaching Ben Gurion Airport security

Israel Police officers have arrested the suspect who had fled after breaching security at Ben Gurion Airport several weeks ago.

Greek airspace closed, causing delays at Ben Gurion Airport

The Airports Authority reports the closure of Greek airspace until 4 PM - and delays at Ben Gurion Airport as a result

Ben Gurion Airport

13-year-old boy who sneaked onto flight caught again

The 13-year-old boy who managed to sneak onto an El Al flight to New York last October without a ticket or passport, was spotted again last night at Ben Gurion Airport.

Passenger sneaks onto plane without ticket at Ben Gurion

An 18-year-old managed to board a flight to Vienna without a boarding pass. Only after landing did authorities in Vienna discover that the passenger did not have a ticket.

Histadrut corruption scandal

Senior municipal official arrested upon returning from Thailand

A senior municipal official in central Israel was arrested upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport from Thailand for questioning in connection with the Histadrut corruption scandal.

Ben-Gurion Airport prepares for Trump

The Israel Airports Authority is preparing for the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump. Passengers on Monday are advised to travel to the airport by Israel Railways, which will operate enhanced service.

Security failure at Ben Gurion Airport

A 13-year-old boy bypassed Ben Gurion Airport’s security and boarded an EL AL flight to the US without documents before being discovered by the crew and safely removed before takeoff.

Haredi draft-dodger arrests continue despite protests,

Despite haredi protests, the IDF and Israel Police have continued to arrest haredi draft dodgers, including at Ben-Gurion airport.

Over 70 haredi draft dodgers arrested at Ben-Gurion Airport

Last night, dozens of haredi draft dodgers were arrested attempting to travel abroad for the High Holidays.

Ben-Gurion scam:

Fake valets offer parking services to steal cars

Dozens of complaints have reached the Israel Airports Authority about companies offering parking services through an attendant, and 'borrowing' the vehicles while the owners are on vacation.