US Keeps Refuelers at Ben-Gurion Airport, Putting 50,000 Flight Tickets at Risk The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) warned on Thursday that up to 50,000 flight tickets could be canceled in July due to the U.S. decision to freeze the evacuation of its refueling aircraft stationed at Ben-Gurion Airport. The move has disrupted Israeli air traffic control operations, with the Transport Ministry reportedly instructing authorities not to approve any further U.S. refueling planes for landing in the country. IAA director-general Sharon Kedmi expressed concern over the delay, stating it has "immediate and serious operational consequences." Transportation Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben Zaken emphasized that additional U.S. refueling aircraft would not be permitted to land at the airport, stressing that "citizens cannot be harmed; the Defense Ministry must find solutions." Despite these restrictions, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that the freeze remains in place. However, recent reports indicate that four additional U.S. refuelers landed at Ben-Gurion Airport in recent days, according to N12. These planes reportedly arrived from Gulf countries that have faced recent Iranian attacks. The Transport Ministry clarified that a new U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft that landed at Ben-Gurion Airport in the past few minutes did so solely for refueling purposes, in compliance with the Transport Minister’s instructions. This clarification comes amid ongoing tensions over the U.S. military presence at the airport, which has significantly impacted its operational capacity. In May, the IAA reported that Ben-Gurion Airport was operating at one-third of its normal capacity due to the presence of U.S. refueling aircraft.#us #centcom #israel_airports_authority #sharon_kedmi #moshe_ben_zaken
