Netanyahu Orders Review to Prevent Summer Flight Disruptions at Ben Gurion Airport

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the National Security Council and other relevant bodies to find a solution that would prevent disruption to airline operations during the summer months, amid the presence of U.S. refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport.

The move follows an urgent letter from Transport Minister Miri Regev, sent a few days earlier, warning of a shortage of parking stands for aircraft at the airport. Regev said the problem could hurt Israeli airlines’ ability to carry out their summer schedules and could even lead to the cancellation of more than 2 million tickets.

Regev wrote that summer is the busiest season in aviation, and that any damage to the operating capacity of Israeli carriers would directly affect the supply of flights, ticket prices and Israeli passengers. She warned that the situation could undermine airlines’ planned summer operations.

After her appeal, Netanyahu ordered the NSC and professional officials to examine all available alternatives and act quickly to prevent disruptions in civilian aviation. The Transport Ministry said it is continuing to work with all involved parties to ensure air traffic continuity and keep the economy and the aviation sector operating normally despite security and operational challenges.