Israel Demands US Remove Refueling Planes from Ben Gurion Airport

Israel's Airports Authority has demanded that the U.S. Central Command (Centcom) remove 19 U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport by the end of 2026. The authority's director-general, Sharon Kedmi, stated that with the recovery of passenger traffic, the continued presence of American military aircraft in civilian airports in the current format is no longer feasible. The authority forecasts that by 2027, passenger traffic at Ben Gurion will return to its record 2019 levels, requiring all parking spaces and slots for civilian flights. Kedmi warned that failure to remove the refueling planes by the deadline could force the authority to reduce or cancel commercial flights.

The Airports Authority has also issued an ultimatum regarding Ramon Airport. Starting November 1, the airport will cease nighttime operations, meaning U.S. refueling aircraft will only be permitted to use it during daylight hours. Furthermore, Israel is reportedly demanding that the U.S. contribute to the costs of maintenance, security, and operations at the airports associated with the presence of the military aircraft, according to "Mako."