Serious management failures caused Ben-Gurion Airport strike, says former IAA chief

Former Israel Airports Authority chairman Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eliezer Chiney Marom blamed serious management failures and a lack of summer staffing preparation for the staff strike at Ben-Gurion Airport on Thursday. He expressed concern over the severe worker shortage and exhaustion that led to the protest, stating that the situation deteriorated to a point where workers were collapsing from fatigue.

Marom criticized the Airports Authority for failing to address earlier warnings from workers committee chairman Pinchas Idan about the labor shortage and the lack of summer preparations. He recalled his own experience of waiting over two hours for his luggage upon returning from abroad, only to be told there were insufficient workers to handle passenger luggage.

Marom emphasized that the strike was an unacceptable action, even if not officially labeled as such, and highlighted the need for term limits for Airports Authority workers committee chairmen, similar to those in place for the prime minister. He also addressed the issue of nepotism within the organization, noting that while it has been regulated to some extent, family members still occupy positions at various Israeli government agencies, including the Airports Authority.