Aviation officials are warning that disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport could intensify during the peak bein hazmanim travel season, with additional delays and potential last-minute schedule changes or cancellations becoming increasingly likely.
Security officials estimate that approximately 10 more U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft are expected to arrive in Israel in the near future, with most likely to be stationed at Ben Gurion Airport. More than 30 American refueling aircraft are already parked there. The Israel Airports Authority has previously cautioned that even more than 20 aircraft of this type could significantly disrupt airport operations.
This week, travelers have already felt the impact. Ben Gurion Airport's congestion index showed average delays of approximately 65 minutes at Terminal 3 and about 61 minutes at Terminal 1. On Thursday alone, more than 90,000 passengers moved through the airport, creating exceptionally heavy congestion. Some passengers reported waiting more than two hours to retrieve their luggage.
In a statement, the Israel Airports Authority attributed the operational challenges to the large number of military refueling aircraft, describing the situation as a "domino effect" That is slowing airport operations and disrupting flight schedules during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Officials are concerned that the arrival of additional military aircraft could further strain operations, potentially resulting in extended waits, gate changes, delayed departures, or canceled flights.
The airport has also faced unrelated operational challenges. Earlier this week, a communications failure involving an air traffic radar system in Greek airspace created regional air traffic congestion that affected flights to and from Israel.
The Israel Airports Authority is advising travelers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, arrive well in advance of departure times, and prepare for possible additional delays in the coming days.