Ben Gurion chaos explained: is the crisis over, and when will the airport return to normal?
Nearly 100,000 passengers were caught in Thursday’s disruption as canceled flights, staffing shortages and political accusations collided; officials hope for normal operations by Friday morning, but warn holiday-season congestion could return
On a particularly busy day at Ben Gurion Airport, thousands of Israelis encountered severe disruptions and chaos while attempting to leave the country on Thursday. Check-in counters closed, baggage belts were shut down, and incoming flights were halted for about an hour. The Israel Airports Authority accused its workers committee of initiating a surprise strike, while the committee claimed they were overwhelmed by the workload due to a severe shortage of staff.
The airport, which handles nearly 100,000 passengers and 600 flights each day, was forced to close to incoming flights for an hour. Passengers faced long lines, canceled or delayed flights, and even aircraft forced to turn around mid-air. The crisis also affected other airports, such as Paphos Airport in Cyprus, where over 10 flights were stranded.
Despite the agreement between management and the workers committee to address staffing levels and operational needs, the airport continued to experience a backlog and delays after the initial disruptions. Passengers whose flights were canceled must contact their airlines for alternatives or refunds, while those missing luggage will receive it after their flight. When Ben Gurion Airport returns to full operations remains uncertain.
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