Fresh disruptions could hit Ben Gurion Airport ahead of the busy holiday travel period, with the Airports Authority workers’ union warning of what it describes as an “acute” staffing shortage across key departments.
The warning comes days after major disruptions at the airport triggered a political backlash and calls within Likud to remove union chairman Pinchas Idan from the party.
Union warns ahead of holiday travel rush
(Video: Ido Erez)
Idan is expected to turn to the labor court as the holiday period approaches. On Saturday, the union he heads published what it called an updated picture of the staffing shortage at the Israel Airports Authority.
According to the union, the figures are based on requests from department managers for additional personnel and on staffing needs already known to Airports Authority management.
“We are warning again. These are the figures,” the union said. “The issue requires deep, immediate and urgent treatment, otherwise it will not be possible to provide passengers with the service they deserve.”
Ben Gurion Airport
The union said the Airports Authority is currently facing an acute manpower shortage caused by several factors, primarily management problems and difficulties recruiting workers. It said both union representatives and department managers have been warning about the shortages for months. “The fact that we reached the busy summer months with such a severe shortage is the result of prolonged failure,” the union said.
According to its figures, between 400 and 500 additional workers are currently needed across the authority’s divisions to meet operational demands and provide adequate passenger service.
The union said more than 100 employees are also currently serving in the reserves, while dozens of others are absent because of long-term illness, injuries or workplace accidents.
Service and operations employees responsible for the airport’s day-to-day functioning are working between 220 and 260 hours a month, the union said, often in hot conditions and without sufficient breaks.
“This warning is being issued again, after dozens of previous warnings, just before the expected holiday rush,” it said.
The union’s figures indicate double-digit percentage staffing gaps across multiple departments, including airport operations, firefighting, security, transportation and baggage sorting.
The warning raises the prospect of further disruption at Ben Gurion after the recent labor dispute caused widespread delays and turmoil for passengers during one of the busiest periods of the summer.
First published: 19:55, 08.22.26