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Strike Halts Ben Gurion
Ben Gurion Airport ground to a halt Thursday afternoon as baggage and passenger processing systems hit full capacity, forcing authorities to stop all incoming flights and declare a “crisis event.”
“halting all baggage operations for the time being”
Passengers described being trapped on aircraft after landing, with one saying, “We landed about five minutes ago from Los Angeles and were told to stay in the plane as there was no one to attach the plane to the sleeve.”
The Israel Airports Authority said the disruption was caused by what it described as sanctions by baggage workers, and it halted all baggage operations while check-in agents were instructed to stop their work.
By Thursday, more than 107,000 passengers were expected to pass through the airport, and CTech reported that 140 of the 159 scheduled flights to depart from Ben Gurion were delayed.
The Israel Airports Authority also said the disruption was affecting operational activity and service to the traveling public, while management worked to minimize impact and maintain operational continuity.
Regev Orders Labor Court
Transport Minister Miri Regev responded by instructing the Israel Airports Authority management to petition the labor court against the workers’ committee, calling it “thuggish and illegal.”
Her office said, “Whoever made the decision to take tens of thousands of Israeli citizens hostage will pay a heavy price,” as the airport’s check-in services shut down and baggage intake froze.
Ynetnews reported that pilots and airlines were issued a NOTAM stating that the airport would close to landings at 2 p.m., with departures continuing at a reduced pace.
The Airports Authority said it regretted the workers’ committee’s conduct and apologized to passengers, while also warning it would act “very harshly” if an investigation found a work-to-rule action.
The Histadrut labor federation rejected the framing of a strike, with its Transportation Workers Union saying, “no directive was issued to stop work.”
Manpower Shortage and Fallout
JFeed said ground sources had been warning for months about roughly 400 missing workers in sorting and transport operations, and it cited a June warning after about 250 temp workers got dismissed.
“roughly 400 missing workers in sorting and transport operations”
It also described a staffing model in which temporary workers get fired each winter to prevent permanent status, which it said kills turnover and makes workers reluctant to come back in summer.
Ynetnews said the Israel Airports Authority warned that if disruptions continued, it intended to make an urgent appeal to the Labor Court and seek its intervention.
CTech reported that the congestion spread across virtually every stage of the passenger journey, from check-in counters and security screening to baggage handling and airport parking, and it said passengers were told it was not yet clear when normal baggage operations would resume.
As the backlog built, veteran travel agent Yaki Lavi said, “I’ve been overwhelmed with calls from clients stranded at various airports who have no idea what is happening with their flights home.”