Ben Gurion Airport Halts Check-In Amid Severe Summer Congestion and System Overload

Ben Gurion Airport in Israel is experiencing significant operational disruptions due to an unusual system failure in its baggage sorting facilities. On August 20, 2026, during peak summer travel hours, airport staff received an internal directive to immediately stop check-in procedures for upcoming flights. This decision was prompted by the baggage sorting channel reaching full capacity, preventing the processing of additional luggage for imminent departures.

The halt in check-in has caused extensive delays in passenger departures, though no flight cancellations have been reported so far. Security checkpoints are also facing heavy congestion, with long queues forming for security screening and carry-on baggage checks. Arriving passengers are similarly affected, with wait times exceeding an hour and a half to retrieve their luggage from the carousels.

A duty manager at Ben Gurion Airport told N12 that there is currently no estimated time for a return to normal operations in the sorting and passenger processing systems. Despite the disruptions, flight schedules continue to operate with delays but without cancellations. The airport is managing the crisis amid the summer travel peak, but the situation remains unresolved as of midday August 20.