Ben Gurion Airport Faces 24% Flight Delay Increase Amid Summer Traffic Surge

Ben Gurion Airport experienced an exceptionally busy week with a 31% increase in weekly departures compared to the average over the past three months, accompanied by a 24% rise in flight delays. Last week, 1,847 flights departed from the airport, but only 9.8% left on time or within 15 minutes of their scheduled departure. Average delays were 69 minutes from Terminal 3 and 66 minutes from Terminal 1, which also handles domestic flights. The airline with the longest average delays was Red Wings, with 207 minutes over 17 flights, followed by Blue Bird Airways with 128 minutes over 189 flights, and TUS with 114 minutes over 69 flights.

Airlines with the shortest delays were mostly those operating flights from the east, including Flydubai (22 minutes average delay), Azerbaijan Airlines (28 minutes), and Emirates (29 minutes). Delays were particularly severe on flights to Heraklion, Mykonos, and Barcelona, averaging over 100 minutes each. The congestion is partly due to limited infrastructure, insufficient parking spaces, cramped check-in counters, and a shortage of security personnel. The presence of American military refuelers has also disrupted slot availability, causing flight clustering and increased ground congestion.

Despite only 47 airlines operating this summer compared to about 100 in normal years, the airport struggles with capacity issues. Israeli airlines dominate departures, with El Al operating 598 flights and averaging 42 minutes delay, Israir with 282 flights and 59 minutes delay, and Arkia experiencing the longest delays among Israeli carriers at 100 minutes over 284 flights. The Israel Airports Authority is expanding Terminal 3 and planning a parking management tender, aiming for a larger, more advanced airport by 2030, but these improvements are long-term.

The Ministry of Transport and Minister Merav Cohen downplayed the situation as typical summer congestion, emphasizing efforts to keep flights operating despite regional security challenges and European airspace restrictions. They highlighted that the airport currently handles around 100,000 passengers and 600 flights daily, and that flight cancellations are decisions made by airlines themselves. The ministry also noted that relocating military refuelers to Israeli bases helped maintain flight operations during this challenging period.

Overall, while the current summer season is marked by significant delays and operational challenges at Ben Gurion Airport, authorities stress ongoing efforts to manage the situation and maintain open skies for Israeli travelers.