Chaos at Ben-Gurion Airport as Luggage Systems Collapse | WATCH

Ben-Gurion Airport is experiencing significant disruptions today after a malfunction in the Terminal 3 baggage-sorting system brought luggage operations to a near standstill, creating long lines and widespread delays for departing passengers.

According to the Israel Airports Authority, the issue began Wednesday morning and immediately forced teams to switch to a manual loading protocol while technicians work to repair the automated system. The authority stressed that the breakdown is not related to Storm Byron, which is affecting much of the country, and that all available technical staff are on site attempting to restore full functionality.

Footage from the terminal shows large crowds forming at check-in areas and baggage belts standing idle, effectively freezing much of the terminal’s routine activity. Airport officials say that although the source of the malfunction has not yet been identified, there is no indication that it resulted from a cyberattack.

“The technical teams are working to immediately address the malfunction and are implementing an alternative work format until the system is fully operational,” the Airports Authority said in a statement.

With luggage processing slowed to a crawl, airlines are warning travelers to arrive earlier than usual and expect delays. Manual loading procedures are expected to remain in place until the system is repaired, though no estimate has been provided for when operations will return to normal.