(Haipo) – After extensive disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport following the Workers' Committee's directive on disruptions that broke out on Thursday, August 20, 2026, employees have returned to work in full. The Airports Authority has established a special task force to handle all the luggage left behind, and activity at Ben Gurion Airport is gradually resuming.
Airports Authority announcement: Disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport led to halted landings and shutdown of operations
Following the workers' committee's directive regarding disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport, starting at 14:00 PM on Thursday, air activity at the airport was reduced, until landings stopped completely. Takeoffs took off gradually according to an updated flight schedule. The disruptions caused heavy congestion and many pieces of luggage were left behind, both for passengers leaving Israel and for passengers returning to Israel. The Airports Authority reported that after talks between the chairman of the Airports Authority, the CEO of the Authority, and the workers' committee chairman, the employees returned to work at full capacity. At the same time, it was agreed that a significant effort would be made to increase the size of the workforce and respond to operational needs.
Special task force to handle remaining luggage
The Airports Authority has established a special task force that has been working since last night with the airlines and ground handling companies – Aerohandling, Laufer and QAS – to handle the transfer of the luggage that was left behind. According to the authority, the handling of all the luggage is expected to be completed during the day, and the luggage will be transferred to the ground handling companies, which will work to deliver it to the passengers over the weekend. Ben Gurion Airport teams are working continuously and in an enhanced format to complete the handling as quickly as possible and return all the luggage to their owners.
Activity is gradually resuming – patience is still required
With the return of employees to full activity, activity at Ben Gurion Airport is gradually resuming. However, the authority clarified that given the accumulated workload, it will take time to release the pressure and fully return to normal. The traveling public is asked to continue to check with the airlines regarding the status of their flights and luggage. The Airports Authority expressed regret and apologized to the traveling public for the harm caused to them as a result of the disruptions that hit the airport.
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Hi Noga, thanks for the additional information about the strike.
In my opinion, there is no place for this wildcat strike at our Netanya airport.
I discussed this matter with a government official last night and was promised to prevent these incidents in the future.