Flight Delays and Baggage Issues Persist at Ben Gurion Airport Amid Workers' Strike

Disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport continue as significant flight delays and baggage handling problems persist following a workers' strike that began yesterday. Many morning flights are departing late, with some passengers forced to travel without their luggage. Incoming travelers to Israel face waits exceeding an hour and a half to receive their bags, while numerous passengers arriving overnight were sent home without their suitcases after being told waiting was futile.

In response to the strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the expulsion of Pinchas Idan, chairman of the Airport Authority workers' union and a Likud party member, from the party. Netanyahu condemned the strike as illegal and harmful to citizens and the economy, warning that "Ben Gurion will remain open and operational, and anyone obstructing this will be sent home." The strike caused severe chaos at the airport, including the closure of check-in counters and major disruptions in passenger and baggage processing.

The Finance Ministry estimates the strike's cost at approximately 30 million shekels, factoring in lost fees and charges from canceled flights, economic losses from disrupted vacations, delays in air cargo arrivals, and other related impacts. The strike and its fallout have sparked sharp criticism of Idan on social media, particularly given his political ties within Likud.