Chaos at Ben Gurion: Fistfights Break Out After Airlines Strands Hundreds of Ticketed Passengers
Passengers clashed with police at Ben Gurion Airport after El Al's quota was suddenly slashed — leaving hundreds of ticketed travelers stranded with no way home.
Scenes of disorder unfolded at Ben Gurion International Airport today after a sudden policy reversal left hundreds of ticketed passengers stranded and unable to board their flights.
The crisis was triggered when El Al's temporary authorization to carry up to 200 passengers per flight was abruptly revoked, reinstating a significantly lower passenger cap. The brief window during which the higher quota was in effect had already led the airline to issue tickets to passengers who had since arrived at the terminal expecting to travel.
With check-in counters closed and boarding denied, frustration quickly boiled over. Ground staff reported losing control of the situation inside the terminal. Reporter Dean Fischer on the scene described physical altercations breaking out between passengers and police officers, who were deployed to manage the growing unrest.
The atmosphere inside the airport remains volatile, with officers working to contain crowds of stranded travelers who hold valid tickets but have no recourse to board.
Authorities have not yet issued a formal statement regarding next steps for affected passengers or a timeline for resolving the quota dispute.