Thousands of Passengers Wait — Ben-Gurion Faces Unusual Disruption

Ben-Gurion Airport experienced severe congestion: about 90 flights accumulated in just three hours, with around 90,000 passengers expected. Causes include summer traffic, European airspace restrictions, and flights by American refueling aircraft. The airport authority denied staff shortages and apologized for delays.

On Friday, August 14, 2026, Ben-Gurion Airport faced an unusual overload: about 90 flights accumulated in just three hours. Around 90,000 passengers are expected to pass through the airport during the day. The Israel Airports Authority attributed the situation to high summer traffic, restrictions in European airspace, especially around Greece, and flights by American refueling aircraft. As a result, flights are concentrated in short time windows, straining ground services. Aircraft parking availability is also limited. The authority refuted reports of staff shortages, stating that ground crews are working around the clock in the heat. Passengers were urged to be patient, and apologies were offered for the delays. Baggage delivery may also be delayed.