By Pesach Benson • August 20, 2026
Jerusalem, 20 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A surprise strike by employees at Ben Gurion Airport disrupted operations on Thursday, affecting some 100,000 passengers and 600 flights expected to pass through the airport on one of the busiest travel days of the year.
The Israel Airports Authority said all check-in counters had been shut down following action by the workers’ committee, halting passenger processing. Airlines and pilots were told that the airport would close at 2 p.m. if the disruption continued.
An El Al plane takes off from Ben-Gurion Airport in central Israel on April 24, 2019. Photo by Kobi Richter/TPS
“We are currently dealing with disruptions at work, under the direction of the workers’ committee, which are affecting operational activity and service to the passenger public,” the Airports Authority said.
The strike comes amid a dispute over staffing and working conditions at Ben Gurion Airport. The Histadrut labor federation said there is a severe, longstanding staffing shortage and accused management of failing to adequately prepare for the summer travel peak.
The Airports Authority called on employees to immediately end the strike and resume normal operations, warning that it would seek an urgent Labor Court order if the disruption continued.
The strike caused long lines and heavy congestion at the airport. An Air France flight traveling to Israel reportedly turned around and returned to Paris.
The walkout follows several weeks of reported operational problems at Ben Gurion Airport, including flight delays, long lines and lengthy waits at baggage-drop facilities.
Airports Authority Chairman Yiftach Ron-Tal said Thursday morning that about 100,000 passengers were expected to use the airport. Addressing the recent disruptions, he said: “Not everything is under our control.”
The strike came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Ben Gurion Airport with Transportation Minister Miri Regev and praised employees for their efforts.
