Ben Gurion Airport has recently been filled with hundreds of thousands of passengers passing through it every month and although it seems that the corona is behind us, the airport is currently facing quite a few other problems.
In conversations we have had in recent weeks with dozens of airport workers, from pilots, through terminal workers to porters and airline workers, we have been exposed to quite a few harsh allegations that could shed light on some of the reasons for the many delays and complaints received at the airport.
Because of a security check: the pilots from others
In conversations with pilots of the various airlines, they tell us that they, the ones who operate the plane, have to go through a full security check, which includes several steps until the arrival of the plane.
In conversations with them, they say that there are those who do not pass the same check-up: "We have to go through a full check-up while the one who sits in the belly of the plane and fills it with luggage, the people taking off and luggage, enters the airport freely."
Ben Gurion Airport // Photo: Ami Shumen,
In conversations with employees in the baggage department they admit: "We brought confirmation that we do not have a criminal record at the beginning of work here and since we enter with an employee tag freely, there is no real control over entry and exit, we can put whoever we want with the tag and the fact that people do it and were even "Cases of workers smuggling workers from Georgia, it has already become a joke he wanted between us."
Delay in baggage loading
Those responsible for loading luggage are crew members who belong to the airport.
Due to a shortage of workers that has been going on for months, workers are forced to take various steps including, among other things, slowing down the pace of work, sometimes deliberately.
Foreign and Israeli airlines said that luggage is loaded on planes late, sometimes after the take-off date, which causes the slot to be lost (take-off time) and a delay that can be dragged on for quite some time.
Congestion at Ben Gurion Airport // Photo: Yossi Zeliger,
The airlines tell us about the serious damage caused to them and the explanations they have to provide to the angry passengers following the conduct at the airport, "passengers care less what the reason is, they see our logo, of the airline and rightly demand compensation".
Some airlines offer that employees on their behalf perform some of these jobs in order to try to help streamline processes, but the airport does not allow this, they claim.
Escort vehicle for planes: a waste of time and money
The pilots we spoke to tell about another phenomenon that is very problematic in their eyes: "On every flight that lands at Ben Gurion Airport, there is an obligation to accompany the vehicle 'FOLLOW ME', it is a vehicle that reaches the plane and accompanies it to the parking lot.
Almost every major airport, from Charles de Gaulle in Paris, through Heathrow in London to Istanbul and JFK in New York, does not use vehicles of this type.
We often wait more than ten minutes for them, which causes airlines to spend significant money and delays flights.
We pilots know how to operate alone at airports, we get directions to the parking lot from the control tower and the plane does not really need this vehicle.
It is a waste of money and time. "
Disparaging attitude from management: frustration, crying and resignations
Meanwhile, the security checkpoints we spoke to in recent weeks tell of a disparaging attitude and very long and difficult shifts that often end in employees resigning, crying and going out to their homes frustrated.
"We work very hard and are hardly rewarded, we have to deal with the long queues and the number of passengers who grow and do everything to make ends meet but it is very difficult, promised to bring more workers but it still does not happen, I am afraid of what will be here in the summer," Today".
The congestion in the departure hall began a few months ago, with the opening of the sky and the understanding that the corona, at least at this stage, is behind us, but the heavy congestion continues at the airport and in the same claim - a shortage of manpower.
Ben Gurion Airport stated: "Regarding the Follow Me vehicle, Ben Gurion Airport, Terminal 3, was built in the shape of a star, unlike the terminals in the world that are built in a linear manner. Unique structure, arms and sleeves Requires operational flexibility in the sleeves and parking spaces of the aircraft. As part of the safety risk management, the placement of aircraft in the space between the star ribs is done with an escort vehicle and an inspection of each parking space before entering the aircraft. And so it is at Ben Gurion Airport.
Regarding the security check that the pilots go through compared to the employees in the baggage departments, it was stated: "All employees, passengers, guests entering the operational area undergo a security check."
Regarding the shortage of workers, it was stated: "From an inspection we conducted in light of the congestion that was during Pesach this year, it emerged that the security inspection process at Ben Gurion Airport is not the cause of the delays.
The congestion is created at check-in counters and immediately after the security check due to a huge shortage of manpower, and due to the lengthy procedure in which the flight attendants are required to check each passenger (8 minutes per passenger), these are known facts. It is customary in a country that has one field which is a strategic facility.
Do not operate a country field (single field) in the way that is operated in countries that have multiple airports.
Recruitment to security positions takes time.
These security roles are roles that require training.
These days we are opening more courses. "
Regarding the luggage that is delayed, it was reported: "The number of luggage left at Ben Gurion Airport is one of the smallest in the world.
"Ben Gurion Airport is one of the world's leaders in the number of transportation errors. It is a well-known fact that the ground services company lacks hundreds of employees and therefore they do not open enough check-in counters, and the luggage is sent to the sorting and security inspection system late for closed flights."
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us
