Ben-Gurion Airport delays reach 90 minutes amid summer travel rush, Arkia CEO reveals

Ben-Gurion Airport is experiencing average delays of 90 minutes as summer passenger traffic nears prewar levels, with only one-third of flights departing on schedule. Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz attributes the delays to US aircraft occupying parking stands, European airspace congestion, radar malfunctions, and ground-handling staff shortages.

Ben-Gurion Airport is experiencing significant flight delays, with average wait times reaching 90 minutes during the summer travel rush. Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz told 103FM on Thursday that only about one-third of flights are departing on schedule as passenger traffic approaches prewar levels of 90,000 to 100,000 passengers per day. The heavy traffic is expected to continue through the end of August and into the Tishrei holiday season in mid-September. Berlowitz identified several operational causes: US aircraft parked at the airport occupying stands, increasing congestion in European and Middle Eastern airspace, isolated air traffic control failures such as a recent radar malfunction in northern Italy, and a shortage of ground-handling personnel. He noted that even a minor morning delay can create a domino effect, disrupting subsequent flights. Despite the difficulties, Berlowitz emphasized that the airport is operating and flights are departing rather than being canceled, which he called important given the region's complexity.