US Air Force Begins Removing Tanker Aircraft From Ben Gurion Airport Amid Upcoming Agreement
The US Air Force has started removing some of its Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international airport. This move follows pressure from Israeli Transportation Minister Merav Regev on security agencies to clear the tankers in order to maintain smooth airport operations during peak travel periods.
August is expected to be one of the busiest months at Ben Gurion, with over 2.6 million passengers projected to pass through the airport. The decision to relocate the tankers aims to prevent disruptions during this critical time, which is considered one of the busiest since the events of October 7. The removal also comes amid an approaching agreement, though details of the deal were not specified in the report.
The KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft had been stationed at Ben Gurion for some time, but the recent directive reflects a coordinated effort between the transportation ministry and security bodies to prioritize civilian air traffic flow during peak demand. The report was first published by N12 on August 6, 2026.
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