Ben Gurion Airport Resolves Left-Behind Luggage After Sudden Workers' Strike

Following a sudden strike by the Israel Airports Authority workers' union, Ben Gurion Airport faced significant flight delays and luggage handling chaos. The Airports Authority announced on Friday that it had formed a special task force to manage all luggage left behind due to the strike, with the process expected to be completed by the end of the day. Afterward, ground service companies including Eurohandling, Lufar, and QAS will distribute the luggage to passengers over the weekend. The task force has been working overnight in coordination with airlines and ground handlers to expedite the return of all luggage to its owners.

Airlines El Al and Arkia responded to the disruptions by offering passengers vouchers for future travel if they choose not to fly amid the ongoing delays. Arkia highlighted significant delays affecting both departures from Israel and arrivals to Ben Gurion, warning that some flights might not take off or land before the start of the Sabbath. Both airlines urged passengers to check flight updates on their websites before heading to the airport.

Although the strike ended at 3 p.m. and airport operations gradually resumed, the repercussions extended late into the night, leaving approximately 100,000 passengers stranded at Ben Gurion and other airports worldwide. The strike has drawn widespread criticism from foreign and Israeli airlines over the handling of the situation. Additional delays are expected throughout the weekend.

The Finance Ministry estimates the strike's economic damage at around 30 million shekels. The strike occurred just one day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli visited Ben Gurion Airport, and shortly after the Likud party primaries. The strike also sparked political fallout, with Netanyahu instructing the removal of Pinchas Idan, the union chairman and Likud member, from the party following the disruption. Idan defended the strike, criticizing the demanding work hours, while Minister Michaeli condemned the union's actions, warning that those holding Israeli citizens "hostage" would face severe consequences.