Employees Return to Work as Ben Gurion Airport Struggles to Recover from Major Disruption

Following a dramatic day of disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport, operations are gradually resuming after workers returned to full duty. The decision came after talks between the Israel Airports Authority management and the workers' committee chairman, Pinchas Idan. Despite the return to work, significant delays are expected to continue due to the backlog of passengers and luggage accumulated during the stoppage.

The crisis erupted on one of the busiest days of the year, with tens of thousands of travelers arriving at the airport. The halt in check-in procedures quickly caused congestion, leading to a reduction in air traffic and a temporary stop to landings. The core of the dispute lies in a sharp conflict between the airport authority and the workers' committee. The authority blamed the disruptions on the workers' actions, while the Transportation Workers Union denied any official strike order, citing long-term staff shortages and worker fatigue as the root causes.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev, currently on private vacation in Morocco, intervened by instructing the airport authority to take legal action against the workers' committee, labeling the disruption an "illegal and violent strike." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited the airport the day before, also issued a stern warning that the airport will remain open and operational, and anyone obstructing this will be dismissed.

The airport authority expressed gratitude to passengers for their patience and apologized for the inconvenience. Plans are underway to increase staffing levels and address operational needs highlighted by the workers' committee. The main challenge now is not only when flights will return to normal schedules but also how long it will take to clear the massive backlog created during the disruption.