Ben Gurion Airport Halts Check-In Amid Severe Staffing Shortages and Massive Passenger Delays

Ben Gurion Airport is experiencing escalating operational chaos as check-in procedures for upcoming flights were halted due to the sorting channel reaching full capacity and an inability to process additional luggage. This disruption, reported on Thursday, stems from a significant manpower shortage affecting airport systems. Despite these issues, no flights have been canceled, but passengers face substantial delays in departing Israel.

On the day of the report, approximately 107,000 passengers were expected to pass through the airport across more than 610 takeoffs and landings, with notable delays already evident throughout the terminal. Alongside the suspension of outbound flight check-ins, travelers endure long waits at security checkpoints and hand luggage scans, with queues growing in various halls. The staff shortage exacerbates the challenge of managing the accumulating baggage volume.

The congestion also impacts arriving passengers, who experience extended waits at baggage claim areas. A duty manager at Ben Gurion informed teams that normal sorting and processing operations are not expected to resume soon. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Miri Regev is on a private vacation in Morocco with senior ministry officials, as thousands of passengers contend with these exceptional delays.

These developments follow prior warnings ahead of the busy travel season. Pinchas Idan, chairman of the Airport Authority workers' union, cautioned that the inability to recruit approximately 400 needed employees would likely cause severe summer congestion. He expressed uncertainty about managing the situation through August. Although airport management initially dismissed these concerns, the current conditions reveal a clear staffing crisis alongside extraordinary system strain.