Ben Gurion Airport gradually resumes operations following major disruptions

The Israel Airports Authority announces that operations at Ben Gurion Airport are gradually resuming as of 15:00 under a revised flight schedule, following significant disruptions that occurred throughout the day.

Travelers are requested to maintain contact with their airlines and monitor flight updates, as the schedule has undergone necessary adjustments due to the day's events.

The disruptions occurred on an exceptionally busy day, with over 100,000 passengers and 600 flights expected to pass through the airport. Reports of halted check-ins and suspended luggage handling caused widespread chaos. The situation was further complicated by the union's denial of a strike despite the sudden work stoppage.

The office of Minister of Transport Miri Regev stated that any employee who abandoned their post illegally would be summoned for a hearing and is expected to be fired. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the incident:

"Whoever stands in the way — will be thrown out."

Arkia airline updated that while some international flights are on hold, others continue to depart, with teams working to minimize the impact on passengers.

Meanwhile, the Transport Workers' Union at the Histadrut rejects claims of a "wildcat strike," clarifying that no work stoppage directive was issued. The union argues that framing the event as a strike obscures the real issue: a persistent manpower shortage and lack of preparation for summer traffic:

"The attempt to present the chaos at Ben Gurion Airport as the result of a 'wildcat strike' is untruthful and diverts attention from the real failure: a severe and persistent manpower shortage and a lack of sufficient preparation for the summer loads."

According to the union, they have been warning the Israel Airports Authority management and the Minister of Transport for months that existing staffing levels were insufficient for summer volumes.

"The loads at Ben Gurion Airport did not come as a surprise. The writing was on the wall, the warnings were not answered — and now the public is paying the price," the union claims, warning of employee burnout.

Passengers are advised not to arrive at the airport without first verifying with their airline that their flight is departing at the updated time.