Transport Minister and Airport Authority Launch Probes After Ben Gurion Airport Shutdown

Following the sudden shutdown of Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday, Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev ordered the formation of an external committee to investigate the incident. Shortly after, the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) announced that its board, led by Chairman Yiftach Ron Tal, had convened an emergency meeting and decided to establish a separate investigative committee. This committee will be headed by the IAA's internal auditor and supported by an independent external expert, with preliminary findings expected by the end of the current week.

The crisis erupted due to severe operational disruptions at the airport's baggage handling and sorting departments, which have long been a source of tension between the IAA management and the workers' union. Despite recent agreements to allocate additional staff and administrative workers to assist with baggage operations, concerns remain about potential renewed labor actions. The union chairman, Pinchas Idan, had repeatedly warned in recent weeks about a looming manpower crisis, highlighting the fragile labor relations.

The root of the problem lies in the IAA's employment model, which relies heavily on temporary workers, over 500 baggage handlers classified as non-permanent employees. These workers receive lower wages and fewer benefits than permanent staff but endure long shifts and physically demanding work in extreme temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius inside aircraft holds. This recurring staffing shortage during peak travel seasons has been a known issue for years and was acknowledged by the newly formed committees tasked with resolving the crisis.