Record Flight Delays Hit Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport Amid Multiple Operational Challenges

Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv has experienced unprecedented flight delays during the week of July 21-27, with an average delay of 63 minutes across 1,675 departures, marking the highest delay rate this year. Only 14% of flights departed on time, compared to the yearly average of 27%. The airport is currently handling over 90,000 passengers daily, its busiest period of the year.

Several factors contributed to the disruptions, including the continued presence of more than 30 US military refueling aircraft at the civilian airport, despite a government decision to relocate ten of these planes to Israeli Defense Forces bases. Sharon Kadmi, CEO of the Israel Airports Authority, warned that the airport is operating at the limits of its capacity and cannot accommodate additional US military aircraft without impacting civilian flights.

Additional complications arose from technical failures in European air traffic control systems. Early in the week, a radar malfunction in Greece caused significant delays, particularly affecting flights to Greek destinations such as Corfu and Heraklion. Later, a control system failure at Eurocontrol, the European air traffic management organization based in Brussels, further disrupted flight schedules across Europe, including those to and from Israel. Both issues were resolved relatively quickly but had lasting effects on flight punctuality.

Among airlines, Blue Bird, Tus Airways, and Arkia experienced the longest average delays, with Blue Bird flights delayed by 112 minutes on average. Conversely, destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Baku reported shorter delays, averaging around 25 minutes. Approximately half of all landings at Ben Gurion were on time, with an average landing delay of 46 minutes.

The Israel Airports Authority emphasized that the delays stem from factors beyond its control, including the US military aircraft presence and European airspace disruptions. They assured that staff are working continuously to minimize delays and assist passengers. Meanwhile, employee representatives expressed concern about staffing shortages and the potential for long queues in August. Airlines affected by the delays highlighted their efforts to maintain full summer schedules and keep passengers informed.

Passengers are advised to stay updated with their airlines regarding flight times and to arrive at the airport according to airline instructions to mitigate the impact of ongoing delays.