Story perspectives

Wildcat strike shuts Ben-Gurion Airport, NIS 25-30M damage

8/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

IAA union chairman Pinchas Idan led a wildcat strike that shut Ben-Gurion Airport.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu filed a Likud Supreme Court petition to expel Idan from the party.
Finance Ministry estimated the disruption caused NIS 25-30 million in economic damage.
Union warned of a 400-500 worker shortage, with 100 staff on reserve duty and 12-hour shifts.
Passengers faced up to 10-hour delays and luggage problems despite managers added to ground shifts.

History

Historical Context

The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization, founded in 1968, grew to about 13,000 members before its illegal August 3, 1981 strike. President Ronald Reagan gave a 48-hour ultimatum and on August 5 fired 11,345 controllers, decertifying PATCO and triggering a nationwide decline in union power. Israel’s 2024 IAA walkout echoes that precedent, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seek the union leader’s expulsion.

1 of 2

Story summary

IAA union chairman Pinchas Idan led a wildcat strike that shut Ben-Gurion Airport.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu filed a Likud Supreme Court petition to expel Idan from the party.
Finance Ministry estimated the disruption caused NIS 25-30 million in economic damage.
Union warned of a 400-500 worker shortage, with 100 staff on reserve duty and 12-hour shifts.
Passengers faced up to 10-hour delays and luggage problems despite managers added to ground shifts.

1 / 2