Ben Gurion Airport warns 500 flights could be canceled unless more tanker planes are moved

Ben Gurion Airport officials warned on Tuesday that unless another 15 American refueling aircraft are removed by Sunday, they will cancel 500 flights. The warning comes even as dozens of U.S. tanker planes began leaving the airport area, with the move linked to the developing agreement with Iran.

Sharon Kadmi, director general of the Israel Airports Authority, told Channel 12 that the airport still needs 15 more free parking positions. “We need another 15 free parking spots by Sunday,” he said. “Otherwise, we will announce the cancellation of 100,000 flight tickets in July. The direction is right, but it is not enough.” The article says 100,000 tickets scheduled for July remain at risk.

The American aircraft are being transferred from Ben Gurion to other airports in Israel and Europe, but the U.S. says they could return if the situation changes and escalates, and tanker support is again needed for American and Israeli air forces. In recent months, dozens of U.S. refueling planes had been parked across large areas of Ben Gurion and Ramon airports, drawing criticism from Israeli aviation officials.

Earlier, Shmuel Zakai, head of the Civil Aviation Authority, warned that Ben Gurion was effectively operating like a “military base rather than a civilian airport.” Officials say the partial removal of aircraft may ease parking pressure somewhat, but most of the American refueling fleet is expected to remain in Israel for now, so the impact on airport operations will likely be limited.