2.4 Million Israeli Flight Bookings at Risk If U.S. Refuelers Stay at Ben Gurion
Nearly 2.5 million flight tickets already bought by Israelis for the holiday season could be canceled if U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft are not removed from Ben Gurion Airport, according to a report aired Friday night. Transportation Minister Miri Regev sent a sharp letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, titled "Expiration of the Deadline for Notice of Flight Cancellations to Civilians," saying there is only a one-week window to move at least some of the planes.
About 70 American refuelers have been parked at the airport since preparations for the fighting in Operation "Roar of the Lion," and by Tuesday airlines would have to cancel 2.4 million tickets for future flights between July and October if at least 30 refuelers are not cleared from the airport grounds. On Thursday night, the central news broadcast reported for the first time that two possible solutions were emerging.
Among the options under consideration are shifting part of Ben Gurion's operations to Ramon Airport and changing the schedule of night flights, moving them to morning and afternoon hours. The report follows a warning by the Israel Airports Authority, first reported Wednesday by News 13, that the continued presence of the American refueling planes is harming civilian aviation at Ben Gurion.
At an emergency meeting, the authority warned that continued occupation of parking stands by American aircraft could worsen congestion and cause major disruptions to routine operations. It said the airport is already operating under intense strain, and any reduction in stand availability or operational capacity could affect airlines and passengers. Officials involved said civilian and security bodies are coordinating to reduce the damage and keep Ben Gurion functioning as normally as possible.
Earlier this week, Regev also launched a harsh attack on U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting with Netanyahu and senior ministers, saying Trump "does not attack, and he also occupies the airport." She added of the American refuelers, "There is no way this looks, at least remove the refuelers from here."
