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🇮🇱 Israel /Energy & Infrastructure

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

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Ben-Gurion Airport is experiencing significant delays, with average wait times reaching 90 minutes, as passenger traffic nears pre-war levels.
  • Factors contributing to the delays include parked US aircraft, congested European airspace, air traffic control system failures, and a shortage of ground-handling personnel.
  • The airport anticipates continued high traffic through August and the Tishrei holiday season, with operational strains expected to persist.

Ben-Gurion Airport is grappling with substantial delays, with average wait times hitting 90 minutes, as passenger numbers surge to near pre-war figures, Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz revealed.

The picture at Ben-Gurion Airport right now is one of passenger numbers approaching what we saw before the war, between 90,000 and 100,000 passengers a day.

— Oz BerlowitzDescribing the current passenger traffic at Ben-Gurion Airport.

Berlowitz told 103FM that the airport is currently handling between 90,000 and 100,000 passengers daily. He expects this heavy traffic to continue through the end of August and into the Tishrei holiday season in mid-September. "As someone from the aviation industry, I'm pleased that Ben-Gurion Airport is once again serving as Israel's main gateway in and out of the country, especially after everything we've been through and against the backdrop of the relative calm regarding Iran," he said.

As someone from the aviation industry, I'm pleased that Ben-Gurion Airport is once again serving as Israel's main gateway in and out of the country, especially after everything we've been through and against the backdrop of the relative calm regarding Iran.

— Oz BerlowitzExpressing satisfaction with the airport's return to prominence despite ongoing regional tensions.

However, the return to high passenger volumes has exposed operational challenges. Berlowitz cited parked US aircraft as a significant issue, occupying valuable stands and limiting airlines' flexibility. Congestion in European and Middle Eastern airspace, coupled with isolated air traffic control system failures, further exacerbates the disruptions. He pointed to a recent radar malfunction in northern Italy as an example, noting Israel's geographic vulnerability due to flights often passing over Cyprus and Greece.

Every occupied parking stand affects airlines' flexibility and causes delays.

— Oz BerlowitzExplaining how parked aircraft contribute to operational problems.

A shortage of personnel at ground-handling companies also contributes to the problem. Berlowitz explained that the airport's rapid transition from handling about 15 flights daily to hundreds has outpaced the development of its operational systems. "These are skilled professionals who are difficult to recruit and train quickly, so a shortage has developed that affects the ability to keep to schedules," he stated. Even minor morning delays can create a domino effect, disrupting subsequent flights due to tight operational schedules.

In situations like these, passengers are already seated on the aircraft, ready for departure, but the pilot announces that they have to wait an hour or two for route clearance.

— Oz BerlowitzIllustrating the impact of airspace congestion and air traffic control issues on flight departures.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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