Strike at Ben Gurion Airport Costs Economy Up to 30 Million Shekels in One Day

A sudden strike at Ben Gurion Airport caused significant delays and disruptions for travelers, with the Israeli Finance Ministry estimating the economic damage to be between 25 and 30 million shekels in a single day. The losses stemmed from impacts on airlines, the airport authority, and the tourism sector, according to a report by Channel 12 News.

Senior officials at the Israel Airports Authority revealed that the strike was partly intended to disrupt the flight of Transportation Minister Miri Regev to Rabat, Morocco. The strike was initially planned for the previous day to coincide with her flight. However, when Regev and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived together at the airport, the plan was altered. According to these officials, union chairman Pinchas Idan believed that disrupting the flight under these circumstances would be an extreme move that could embarrass the Prime Minister, so the flight itself was not interfered with.

Instead, orders were reportedly given to delay baggage handling for that flight, causing only minor delays. The flight to Rabat ultimately departed as scheduled. Pinchas Idan, chairman of the Israel Airports Authority workers' union, denied these allegations, stating that senior officials should focus on resolving staff shortages rather than making unfounded assumptions, asserting, "There was no such thing."

The strike's broader economic impact and the political context surrounding the timing of the disruption highlight ongoing tensions within the airport workforce and government relations. The situation remains a concern for the Finance Ministry and the tourism industry as they assess the strike's consequences and seek solutions to prevent future disruptions.