Ben Gurion Airport faces delays due to US refueling aircraft

Ben Gurion Airport is experiencing significant operational delays and chaos due to a combination of factors, including the continued presence of American refueling aircraft at the facility. The Israeli Airports Authority reported a surge of 90 flights within a three-hour window, placing immense pressure on ground operations such as baggage handling.

Contributing factors to the congestion include air traffic density over Greece, high summer travel volumes, and limited aircraft parking availability. The authority denied reports that staff shortages or strikes were responsible for the disruptions. Some passengers experienced delays in boarding or baggage retrieval, with approximately 10 out of 17 scheduled departures between 9:00 AM and noon facing major delays.