Strike will ground 4,000 travelers at B-G Airport
IAA to operate a situation room to manage complications arising from strike, as well as handling of arriving, departing flights.
By OREN KESSLER
FEBRUARY 8, 2012 01:36
Israelis at airport 521
About 4,000 air travelers will be affected by a general strike on Wednesday, as Ben-Gurion Airport will close from 6 a.m. to noon.
The Israel Airports Authority will operate a situation room to manage complications arising from the labor action, as well as the handling of arriving and departing flights as soon as service resumes.
Airlines will try to operate flights earlier than planned to reduce the impact on passengers, as they did in the previous general strike on November 7. Flight schedules will be updated during the day, and airlines advise passengers to keep abreast of the latest developments.
Flights scheduled close to the start time of the strike will be moved up, with the earliest leaving at 4 a.m. instead of at 5. Israel Airports Authority Director Pinhas Idan said two flights that will be arriving from the United States around 7 a.m. would, however, be allowed to land.
Flights scheduled for later in the morning will be postponed until after noon. Due to the back-up created by the work action, delays are expected even among regularly scheduled afternoon and evening flights.
El Al announced changes on Tuesday in times for 15 of its flights from Ben-Gurion.
"Passengers on morning flights, particularly those that have been moved up, are asked to reach the airport earlier for security checks," El Al said. "We suggest arriving for security checks four hours prior to scheduled takeoff."
The company advised passengers to check-in on the airline's website and phone service for up-to-date information.
Arkia and Israir have also announced changes.
The Airports Authority recommends checking its website – www.iaa.gov.il – for updated information.
Globes contributed to this report.