Ben Gurion Near Capacity as US Refuellers Strain Ramp Space
Airport leaders warn that taking in any more U.S. aerial refuelling planes would force commercial flight cancellations.
Overview
- Israel Airports Authority officials say Ben Gurion is operating at peak volume, handling roughly 90,000 passengers a day while about three dozen U.S. refuelling aircraft are parked on the airport ramps.
- Director General Sharon Kedmi warned that the airport has reached maximum operational capacity and that the arrival of even one additional tanker would force cancellations and delays.
- Chairman Yiftah Ron-Tal publicly assured that there are no plans to close airspace or cancel flights and said authorities are working to keep services running through the busy travel season.
- Transportation Minister Miri Regev lifted prior landing restrictions but set a cap on how many tankers may remain at Ben Gurion and ordered excess aircraft to be redirected to IDF air bases, with ongoing coordination with the Air Force and Defense Ministry.
- Media projections estimate that if tanker numbers rise from about 33 toward 40, airlines could face roughly 30 daily flight cancellations (about 5,000 tickets), a disruption that would hit travelers and carriers during a peak month.