Ben Gurion Airport Faces Severe Summer Congestion With 90 Flights in Three Hours

Ben Gurion Airport is experiencing exceptional summer congestion, with around 90 flights arriving and departing within approximately three hours on Friday. This surge has created operational bottlenecks affecting aircraft handling, passenger processing, and baggage retrieval. Passengers report waiting up to two and a half hours to collect their luggage, alongside heavy crowds at shuttle services, check-in counters, and security checkpoints.

The Israel Airports Authority attributes the delays to a combination of high traffic volumes and airspace restrictions over Europe, particularly Greece, as well as the presence of American refueling flights. These factors concentrate flights into narrow time windows, intensifying ground service pressures. Approximately 90,000 passengers are expected to transit through the airport today.

The authority denies claims of staff shortages, stating that ground crews, logistics teams, and baggage handlers are working intensively and continuously to minimize delays. However, the airport workers' union disputes this, asserting a lack of permanent staff. The limited availability of parking stands for aircraft further reduces operational flexibility, prolonging turnaround and waiting times. Some passengers have requested flight cancellations ahead of the Sabbath due to the congestion.

The airport continues to manage the situation amid these challenges, aiming to restore smoother operations as the busy travel period persists.