‘We’re stuck in this mess’: travelers describe hours of chaos inside Ben Gurion Airport
Flights were canceled and delayed as operations slowly resumed; behind the scenes, officials traded blame over staffing shortages, ignored warnings and possible dismissals
Chaos continued to grip Ben Gurion Airport Thursday afternoon following a surprise strike that began the previous day. Despite claims from Israel Airports Authority that employees had returned to full work, widespread disruptions persisted, potentially lasting for a full day. Passengers faced severe delays, with some flights canceled and many others forced to turn around and find alternate routes home.
The Israel Airports Authority acknowledged a staffing shortage, but had previously denied a link between the issue and the reported congestion. Passengers expressed frustration, describing hours of waiting and inability to access check-in counters. Israel's Transportation Minister Miri Regev criticized the employees' committee, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
The disruption affected both airport operations and arrivals, causing significant inconvenience for thousands of travelers already coping with an already busy summer travel season.
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