Chaos and confusion gripped Ben Gurion Airport after dozens of outbound passengers with valid tickets were unexpectedly denied boarding due to last-minute changes in wartime travel restrictions, according to media reports.
The incident occurred on Monday as Israel’s main international gateway was gradually resuming limited outbound flights following disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Passengers who arrived at the airport expecting to depart were informed at check-in counters that they would not be allowed to board, sparking confrontations with airline staff.
Police were called to the terminal to restore order as tempers flared among travelers who had already received confirmation for their flights. Footage from the airport showed crowds gathering around check-in counters, with security forces intervening to control the situation.
‼️🇮🇱 For decades, Benjamin Netanyahu insisted Israel was the safest place for Jews.
— Voice of Rabbis (@voiceofrabbis) March 10, 2026
But now, as tensions escalate and w-rs continue, scenes of chaos are reportedly unfolding at Ben Gurion Airport.
Passengers trying to flee, check-in counters closing, and clashes breaking out… pic.twitter.com/GJyAYSKrY3
The confusion stemmed from a sudden change in the permitted number of passengers on outbound flights. According to reports, Israel’s Transportation Ministry informed the national carrier El Al overnight that the maximum number of passengers allowed on some flights could be increased from 100 to 200. Based on that guidance, additional tickets were issued, and reservations confirmed for travellers seeking to leave the country.
However, hours later, the decision was reversed, and the passenger limit was reduced again, leaving airlines with more ticketed passengers than seats allowed under the regulations. As a result, some travellers who arrived at the airport with approved bookings were turned away at the last minute.
In response to the incident, the Transportation Ministry said it “reiterates that airlines are not permitted to carry more than 100 passengers on an outbound flight, in accordance with the guidelines of the Civil Aviation Authority and the defense establishment.”
כאוס בנתב"ג: באל על קיבלו אתמול אישור להעלות 200 נוסעים בחלק מהטיסות – אך היום המספר ירד חזרה ל-50 – נוסעים רבים נותרו זועמים בדלפקי הצ'אק אין לאחר שהגיעו לנתב"ג.
— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) March 9, 2026
דיילי קרקע: "איבוד עשתונות – סגרו דלפקי צ'ק אין. יש אלימות בין המשטרה לנוסעים"@Dean_Fisher_ pic.twitter.com/VWNGoTxD3X
“Airlines need to comply with these procedures to maintain the safety and security of passengers,” the ministry added.
El Al said the airline was operating under constantly changing wartime instructions. “We are operating according to the Home Front Command’s guidelines, which are constantly being updated, and apologize for the inconvenience to the company’s customers,” the carrier said in a statement.
Priority for the limited seats was reportedly given to passengers whose flights had previously been cancelled or who were travelling for humanitarian reasons, leaving many others stranded at the terminal.
The incident took place a day after Israel began allowing a limited number of outbound flights following the partial reopening of the airport, which had primarily been handling inbound repatriation flights for Israelis stranded abroad after the airspace was closed during the conflict.
Authorities have not yet announced additional measures to prevent similar disruptions as flights gradually resume under strict security restrictions.
