Ben Gurion Airport is overloaded, passengers complain of hours-long delays

According to the Kan news service, the Airports Authority denies reports of staff shortages and a strike by baggage handlers. According to the department, the delays are caused by “air traffic congestion and restrictions in the airspace of Europe, primarily Greece, as well as the presence and flights of American tanker aircraft.”

In just three hours, there was an “unusual backlog of approximately 90 flights,” according to the Airports Authority. A large number of aircraft arriving almost simultaneously puts a strain on the entire airport operating system, slowing down aircraft handling and baggage unloading and increasing wait times.

Today, approximately 90,000 passengers must pass through Ben Gurion Airport on incoming and outgoing flights.