Ben Gurion Airport Gradually Resumes Operations Amid Severe Staffing Crisis and Flight Disruptions

On August 20, 2026, Ben Gurion Airport faced a major operational crisis due to severe staff shortages, leading to halted landings, delayed departures, and the declaration of a "crisis event." The airport's activity was gradually set to resume from 3:00 PM following a significant disruption that caused hundreds of flights to be at risk of cancellation. The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) urged passengers to stay in contact with airlines for updated flight information.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Ben Gurion Airport would remain open and operational, warning that anyone obstructing its function would be sent home. Meanwhile, the Transport Minister, Miri Regev, who is on vacation in Morocco, instructed the IAA management to take legal action against the workers' union, accusing it of holding tens of thousands of Israeli citizens hostage.

The crisis escalated as baggage handling stopped due to conveyor belt blockages, check-in counters closed, and massive queues formed. Hundreds of Israelis connecting through Dubai were stranded, uncertain if their flights to Israel would depart that day. The IAA blamed the workers' union for the disruptions, while the union and the Histadrut labor federation attributed the chaos to a prolonged manpower shortage and inadequate preparation for the summer peak.

The Histadrut emphasized that all employees were present and working to assist passengers amid the chaos, criticizing those who blamed the workers. They called for addressing the root cause: the ongoing staffing crisis. The airport was handling about 620 flights and over 107,000 passengers that day, with 140 out of 159 departures already delayed. The congestion was worsened by increased air traffic from American refueling planes and infrastructure limitations, especially in baggage and security screening.

If operations did not resume fully by 2:30 PM, experts warned the airport might have to close temporarily, making recovery of the flight schedule difficult. The IAA threatened urgent legal action if disruptions continued, while the union denied any intentional work stoppage, citing systemic issues and lack of sufficient response from management and the Transport Ministry over months.