Israir Cites Foreign Aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport as Excuse for Flight Delays Despite US Planes' Departure
About a week and a half ago, the Israeli aviation sector was informed that around 20 American aircraft would be vacating Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), alleviating concerns over flight cancellations in July. An additional 30 planes are expected to leave soon, promising a smoother August without disruptions. Despite this, Israir Airlines has been using the presence of foreign aircraft at TLV as a reason to delay flights.
Passengers on Israir’s September 22 flight from Israel to Athens received a notice that their flight was rescheduled from 07:45 to 20:20 due to operational constraints caused by foreign planes occupying parking spots at the airport. This change has caused inconvenience, especially for families with young children. One passenger expressed frustration over the airline’s explanation, questioning why the issue persists months after the American planes began departing and why Terminal 1’s reopening for low-cost and domestic flights has not alleviated the problem.
Industry sources indicate that the American aircraft no longer impact flight schedules, suggesting Israir’s explanation may be a cover for poor planning. Passengers affected by the delay are not entitled to compensation under Israeli aviation law since the airline notified them more than 14 days in advance. The notice also offered passengers the option to confirm or cancel their tickets within 24 hours.
The departure of American planes from TLV has been a critical step in reducing congestion. Previously, about 100 US aircraft were parked at the airport, causing severe parking shortages and risking widespread flight cancellations. Sharon Kadmi, CEO of the Israel Airports Authority, warned that millions of Israelis could face cancellations due to these constraints. With the recent relocation of about 30 planes to other bases, July is expected to proceed without major issues, and further removals are planned to handle the anticipated surge of up to 100,000 daily passengers in August.
Reopening Terminal 1 for domestic and low-cost flights is part of the strategy to manage growing passenger volumes. Israir declined to comment on the report.
