Ben Gurion Airport Faces Holiday Rush Amid Flight Delays

Ben Gurion Airport is experiencing significant passenger traffic as the Sukkot holiday approaches, with approximately 100,000 travelers passing through on Thursday. This surge is part of an anticipated 3 million passengers expected to use Israeli airports and border crossings throughout September and the High Holidays. Of these, about 2.5 million are projected to travel through Ben Gurion Airport alone.

Despite the high volume, reports of flight delays have emerged, primarily affecting airlines Bluebird and Tus Air. The Israel Airports Authority attributes these delays to the late arrival of flight crews. However, Bluebird has countered, blaming slot restrictions for the disruptions.

Popular destinations for Israelis during the High Holidays include Greece, Cyprus, the United States, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates. To manage the expected congestion, the Airports Authority advises passengers to check their departure terminal in advance, complete online check-in, and print baggage tags at self-service stations. Those with only carry-on luggage and who have checked in online can utilize a fast track at Terminals 1 and 3.

The Airports Authority also issued a specific reminder to reservists and security forces to ensure no ammunition is left in their bags before flying.