‘We will not cancel a single ticket because of American refueling planes’ says Israeli transportation minister
Transportation Minister Miri Regev said Israel has instructed the Airports Authority not to authorize additional US refueling aircraft landings beyond the agreed limit of 20
In a statement, Miri Regev, Israel’s transportation minister, announced that Israel will not cancel summer flights despite American refueling aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion International Airport. Following a meeting with the chairman of the Airports Authority and the director general of the Ministry of Transportation regarding the American military refueling planes, Regev said, "we promised that we would allow these flights and not cancel a single ticket because of American refueling planes," instructing the Airports Authority not to authorize the landing of refueling planes beyond the agreed number.
Regev said it was agreed that 20 US planes would park at Ben Gurion Airport, with the remaining planes to park at Air Force bases. Regev thanked the Americans for their cooperation and joint operational activity, saying, "Together, we will eradicate terrorism."
Her statement follows the reported suspension of planned departure, by the US military, of its aerial refueling aircraft from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, a move that Israeli officials warned could significantly disrupt civilian air travel.
According to N12, four additional US refueling aircraft had also been deployed to the airport, further increasing pressure on available parking space.
In an urgent letter to Israel's Ministry of Transport, Israel Airports Authority Director Sharon Kedmi warned that unless the agreed withdrawal plan with the United States was reinstated, Ben Gurion Airport could face a severe shortage of aircraft parking stands beginning July 23. In her letter, Kedmi had urged authorities to act "immediately" to prevent widespread disruption to passengers, airlines, and Israel's economy.
The Airports Authority estimated the shortage could force the cancellation of up to 10 commercial flights per day, affecting nearly 50,000 passenger bookings by the end of July.
Regev had previously raised the issue with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late May, arguing that the continued presence of the US aircraft at Ben Gurion was placing an unnecessary burden on civilian aviation.