Huge traffic jams have been backing up traffic in recent
days at the entrance to Ben Gurion Airport, due to a
security clampdown at Ben Gurion International Airport
intended to prevent terrorist attacks.
Recently, vehicles have had to wait from one to two hours at
the airport entrances. Some passengers have abandoned their
vehicles for fear of missing their flights.
The Israel Airports Authority has advised those flying
overseas to plan to arrive at the airport four hours before
takeoff, in view of the rigorous security checks at the
entrances and check-in counters.
Transportation Minister Ephraim Sneh said the heightened
security followed the receipt of information of a specific
nature on planned attacks. He did not elaborate, but Israel
Radio later said the threat was of a potential car-bomb
attack.
Security guards at the two main entrances to the airport
thoroughly checked each car and person entering, causing a
nerve-racking backup. Traffic into the airport was lined up
in two lanes from the entrances, along the freeway exits,
and out onto the main highways for kilometers.
"The police generally act according to a local situation
assessment, renewed every few days," a Central District
police officer said. "According to this assessment, it was
decided to increase security at the entrances for the next
few days."
The Israel Airports Authority said dryly in a statement that
because of increased security measures, "a significant extra
burden will be felt at the entrances to Ben Gurion
Airport."
Authority spokesman Pini Schiff said the new precautions
would be in effect "from time to time" and advised travelers
to arrive at the airport four hours before their flights, an
hour earlier than usually required.
It was the first time that increased security had been felt
at the airport during the current nine months of
disturbances.
