Ben Gurion Halts Baggage Operations, Delaying 140 of 159 Departures
Updated
Updated · CTech · Aug 20
Ben Gurion Halts Baggage Operations, Delaying 140 of 159 Departures
3 articles · Updated · CTech · Aug 20
Summary
140 of 159 scheduled departures from Ben Gurion had been delayed by Thursday after the airport declared a “crisis event” and temporarily stopped all baggage handling.
The Israel Airports Authority blamed baggage workers and the union for deliberate work sanctions, saying check-in was paused so baggage facilities could clear an accumulating luggage backlog.
107,000 passengers and 620 total flights were due through the airport Thursday, while huge lines built at check-in, aircraft queued on the ground, and staff handed out water as no quick return to normal was expected.
The disruption was compounded by parked U.S. refueling tankers, congestion at Greek airports, and chronic shortages in baggage-handling and security infrastructure; the authority said it may seek urgent Labor Court intervention.
The latest breakdown follows earlier strike action and overnight reports of four-hour waits for luggage, underscoring how summer traffic is overwhelming the airport’s staffing and systems.