Passengers Return to Ben Gurion Airport to Retrieve Luggage After Strike Disruptions

Following a major strike at Ben Gurion Airport that caused widespread flight cancellations and delays, many passengers returned on Friday to collect their luggage after their flights were canceled the previous day. Families who had planned vacations found themselves stranded, with some having to buy new tickets and others uncertain if they would be able to travel at all.

Noam and Roni Sapin were among approximately 100,000 travelers passing through the airport on Friday. Their flight to Budapest was repeatedly delayed before ultimately being canceled. They arrived at the airport solely to retrieve their luggage, which took two hours to receive. Noam described the experience as frustrating, with last-minute notifications and no clear communication from airport staff. His father Roni highlighted the lack of basic support during the wait, including the absence of water or assistance late at night.

Another family, led by Ziv, faced similar issues after their flight to Thessaloniki was delayed multiple times and then canceled at 2 a.m. Despite having checked in and handed over their luggage, they returned home disappointed and without clear information about refunds or next steps. Ziv also noted that essential medication for his daughter was in one of the missing bags.

Passengers who landed on Friday reported fewer problems, though some experienced significant delays and lack of information. Shon Sosia, returning from Paphos with his family, faced a nearly four-hour delay and worried about reaching home before the Sabbath. Others, like Tom and Rinat, experienced shorter delays and quicker luggage retrieval. Noy, traveling with her family on Friday and observing the Sabbath, expressed anxiety over the uncertainty caused by the strike, especially regarding her children's wellbeing and her professional commitments.

Airport officials stated that luggage not sent abroad was gradually sorted and handed over to airlines for passenger retrieval. Despite the calmer scene on Friday compared to the strike day, many families still dealt with the aftermath, trying to recover their belongings and salvage their disrupted holiday plans.