Israel Asks U.S. Military to Move Some Planes Out of Ben Gurion

As Ben Gurion Airport continues operating as usual and handling the current volume of civilian flights, Israeli officials are already preparing for the heavy traffic expected in the summer months and are holding talks with the United States aimed at reducing the number of U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft stationed at the airport.

According to sources familiar with the details, the goal is not to remove all of the aircraft from Israel, but rather to relocate some of them to other airports in Israel or elsewhere in the region. The move is intended to free up parking space at Ben Gurion, while also maintaining the security of the aircraft and the American crews assigned to them.

As of now, 94 American refueling aircraft are parked at Ben Gurion, a figure that amounts to nearly one-third of the entire U.S. refueling fleet. According to information passed to Israel, the American administration requested that the aircraft remain in the country for 72 hours after the achievement of a possible agreement with Tehran.

But in Israel, officials believe such an agreement is not currently on the horizon. Against that backdrop, concern is growing in both the civilian and security systems over the possible impact of having dozens of aircraft at Ben Gurion דווקא during the period when passenger traffic and the number of flights are expected to rise significantly.

According to estimates, the American refueling aircraft currently take up about two-thirds of the available parking spots at Ben Gurion. Because of this, Israel is seeking understandings that would allow for a significant reduction in the number of aircraft parked at the airport, even if some of them remain inside the country.

Because Israel’s emergency status is still officially in effect, the authority to determine where the aircraft are stationed rests with the Air Force commander. As a result, alongside civilian officials, the defense establishment is also actively involved in the talks being conducted with the Americans.