Chaos at Ben Gurion: Which Airlines Are Delayed Most Often

Ben Gurion Airport is experiencing chaos at the peak of the summer season: only a third of flights depart on time, with an average delay of 40 minutes. The worst performers are Bluebird (99 minutes), TUS (82), and Lufthansa (79). Causes: 33 US Air Force refueling aircraft, a radar failure in Greece, and technical issues.

Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv is experiencing a serious disruption at the peak of the summer season. According to data from the TLVFLIGHT system, out of 3,499 flights from July 20 to 27, only 31% departed on time. The average delay was 40 minutes, and at peak time (14:00) it reached 83 minutes. The worst performer was Bluebird (average delay 99 minutes), followed by Cyprus-based TUS (82 minutes) and Lufthansa (79 minutes). The main causes: 33 US Air Force refueling aircraft occupying parking spots and slots, as well as a serious technical failure in air traffic control radar systems in Greece, causing a chain of delays across the Mediterranean. Passengers faced multi-hour waits and flight cancellations. For example, an Arkia flight from Heraklion was delayed by an hour and a half, and a WizzAir flight to Rome by almost an hour. An Israir domestic flight from Eilat was delayed by four hours. Airlines apologize and cite external factors.

Chaos at Ben Gurion: Which Airlines Are Delayed Most Often