Ben Gurion Airport halted all departures Friday evening for a routine monthly runway closure, the Israel Airports Authority said. However, flights were delayed without prior notice, and passengers reported being boarded and then deplaned. Arkia announced it will compensate affected passengers, according to Ynet.
The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) stated Friday evening that the temporary halt of all departures at Ben Gurion Airport was due to a routine monthly runway closure, planned in advance, and that departures were expected to resume by 23:00. The statement came in response to what the IAA described as a "swirl of rumors" that the closure was security-related.
Despite airlines being aware of the closure schedule, a combination of ground crew shortages, takeoff delays, and technical malfunctions led to significant delays. Passengers reported being boarded onto planes and then asked to deplane, with some choosing to abandon their flights. The airline Arkia announced it will compensate affected passengers, according to Ynet.
As The Zioneer reported at 21:19, the delays and deplaning incidents were unfolding as airlines struggled to complete preparations before the closure. The IAA maintained that the airport was operating normally aside from the planned maintenance.
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