Ben Gurion Airport Tops Global Disruption Index Following Major Delays

Ben Gurion Airport ranked first worldwide on the Flightradar24 disruption index this morning, receiving the maximum score of 5.0 for both takeoffs and landings. The index, which ranges from 0 to 5, measures flight delays, cancellations, and their duration, with scores above 3.5 indicating significant disruption. Yesterday's severe disruptions caused thousands of passengers to wait in crowded terminals, with flight schedules and baggage handling severely affected.

The Israel Airports Authority blamed the workers' union for "work disruptions," while the union chairman, Pinchas Idan, denied any planned strike, attributing the problems to a staffing shortage. Idan stated he had warned about the manpower deficit as early as June, but his concerns were dismissed. He emphasized that workers completed their shifts within legal hours and did not stop working, describing the workload as unsustainable under current conditions.

In response to the disruptions, the Likud party announced plans to expel Idan from its ranks. The party cited the "chaotic and illegal strike" at the airport, which harmed citizens and the economy, and said Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed the move to remove Idan from the party.