Israel Demands US Refueling Planes Leave Ben Gurion Airport by 2026

Israel's Airport Authority has formally requested that 19 U.S. Air Force refueling planes currently stationed at Ben Gurion Airport be removed by December 31, 2026. The directive, reported by N12, was communicated in a letter from Airport Authority Director General Sharon Kedmi to the Ministry of Defense. Kedmi acknowledged the strategic importance of the U.S. military presence in Israel but stated that accommodating these aircraft in civilian airport facilities is no longer feasible.

The authority cited the need to prioritize the return of civilian air traffic to pre-war levels. Projections indicate that Ben Gurion Airport is expected to reach its 2019 record passenger volume again by 2027. The continued presence of the U.S. planes could lead to the reduction or cancellation of commercial flights, the authority warned.

Furthermore, regular nighttime flights by these U.S. aircraft at Ramon Airport will cease starting November 1. The Airport Authority is also seeking a financial agreement to cover the operational, security, and maintenance costs associated with the U.S. planes. In recent months, the presence of the tankers has reportedly reduced available parking for civilian aircraft and contributed to significant delays, including one flight that was postponed by twelve hours.