Israel Airport Authority Warns Travelers Against Rogue Valet Parking Services

The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) issued an unusual warning on Thursday, urging travelers departing from Ben Gurion Airport to completely avoid using private valet parking and car collection services. The IAA emphasized that companies advertising services like "parking at Ben Gurion," "airport parking," or "parking next to the terminal" are not authorized to operate on airport grounds, and that no such official service exists.

Travelers have filed numerous serious complaints against these unauthorized services. Passengers reported their vehicles sustaining damage, being used by the service providers while they were abroad, receiving traffic tickets and fines in their name, and experiencing difficulties locating the service provider after handing over their car keys.

The IAA stated that it is taking all available measures against this illegal activity, including legal action and banning perpetrators from airport premises. The authority recommended that passengers use public transportation, such as trains, or park only in official airport parking lots, which offer free shuttle services to the terminals.

This warning highlights a disturbing trend where individuals who entrusted their cars to private parking companies discovered their vehicles were not merely parked but were driven for personal use, including work and errands, during the owners' absence. Passengers returning from trips found evidence of this through dashcams and mileage logs, and subsequently received citations for violations committed while they were out of the country.