Frustrated passengers watching from aircraft windows see mountains of unchecked luggage sitting on the tarmac, but behind the scenes at Ben Gurion Airport, a battle is raging over chronic understaffing. Ground handlers claim they are overwhelmed by workloads they say are the result of systemic shortages in the workforce, with some workers alleging they are treated as temporary labour only to be laid off each winter when passenger numbers drop.

The airport’s cargo and baggage handling operations have ground to a halt in recent weeks, with delays mounting across multiple terminals. Workers have described the situation as untenable, with one handler saying: “We’re dumped every winter—who would want to work in these conditions?” The cyclical nature of employment at Israel’s largest airport means many staff are hired on fixed-term contracts, then let go during quieter months, creating a revolving door that leaves the airport perpetually understaffed during peak travel periods.

The airport authority has denied any connection between the congestion and its employment model, claiming workers are clearly informed their positions are temporary when hired. However, industry observers argue this approach creates perverse incentives: experienced workers migrate to more stable employment elsewhere, leaving the airport dependent on an inexperienced workforce that must be rapidly trained each season.

The backlog has disrupted travel plans for thousands of passengers in recent weeks, with some flights delayed by hours as luggage handling fell behind schedule. The situation highlights the broader tension between operational efficiency and labour practices at Israel’s main international travel hub.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.