Israeli aviation authorities have announced immediate changes to passenger screening procedures at Ben Gurion Airport following two serious security breaches in recent months in which individuals managed to board international flights without valid travel documents or tickets.
The decision comes after an internal review revealed weaknesses at different points along the passenger screening chain, which involves the Airports Authority, the Population and Immigration Authority, and the airlines themselves.
In the first incident, which occurred roughly two months ago, a 13-year-old boy succeeded in boarding an El Al flight to the United States without a passport or a boarding pass. In a second case earlier this week, an 18-year-old Israeli infiltrated an Austrian Airlines flight to Vienna without a valid ticket. Both incidents raised significant concerns regarding oversight and coordination among the various bodies responsible for airport security and passenger control.
Following a high-level meeting held with the participation of the director general of the Israel Airports Authority and senior officials, a series of steps were approved to strengthen the outbound passenger process at Ben Gurion Airport. Due to aviation security considerations, officials said not all of the decisions can be made public.
However, the Airports Authority confirmed that the central change involves stricter verification of boarding passes. Whereas until now there were several stages between terminal entry and aircraft boarding at which passengers were not required to present a ticket, the new policy will require travelers to show a boarding pass at additional checkpoints. The revised procedures will be introduced gradually.
Officials cautioned that during the initial implementation phase, passengers may experience longer waiting times and increased congestion at certain points within the terminal.
The Airports Authority emphasized that the move is part of a broader, multi-year program aimed at improving efficiency, supervision, and uniformity in the outbound passenger process. The rollout and adjustment period for the new procedures is expected to continue over the coming year and will be carried out in a controlled, step-by-step manner.
As part of the wider plan, additional measures will be introduced, including reinforcement of staffing at key locations, adjustments to work configurations, and the integration of advanced technological systems. These steps are intended to strengthen service continuity, enhance the passenger experience, and ensure consistent compliance with established procedures.
{Matzav.com}
