US aircraft at Ben Gurion could cause delays during peak vacation season, airport authority warns

The continued presence of US military aircraft at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport is creating a heavy operational burden that could lead to flight delays during the peak summer season, the Israel Airports Authority cautions.

US aircraft refuelers have been parked at Israel’s main international gateway throughout the war with Iran, crowding out civilian planes. Israel’s Transportation Ministry has limited the number of tankers at Ben Gurion to 20 to try to stem summer flight disruptions.

“The presence of aircraft refuelers at the airport creates a domino effect that impacts the pace of ground operations and flight schedules,” the Israel Airports Authority says. “This impact is felt most acutely during the peak summer season, when Ben Gurion Airport operates at unprecedented volumes, handling an exceptionally high number of passengers and flights daily.”

“We are fully aware that any delay, however brief, can cause inconvenience, disrupt plans, and result in prolonged waiting times for passengers and their families,” the Israel Airports Authority adds.

The Israel Airports Authority reiterates that in accordance with a recent directive by Transportation Minister Miri Regev, the authority’s employees are doing their utmost “to minimize flight cancellations as much as possible and maintain the continuity of air operations to ensure that every flight can take off and land safely and smoothly.”