Israel is holding talks with the United States aimed at significantly reducing the number of US refueling aircraft currently parked at Ben Gurion Airport. The intention is to move some of the aircraft to other airports in Israel or elsewhere in the region, while maintaining the safety of the aircraft and their American crews.
Sources familiar with the matter told Israel Hayom that at this stage, the airport is able to handle the current volume of civilian flights. However, a sharp increase in the number of flights is expected ahead of the peak summer tourism months, making it necessary to clear some of the parking spaces currently occupied.
At present, 94 US Air Force refueling aircraft are parked at Ben Gurion Airport, nearly one-third of the United States' entire refueling aircraft fleet. The planes were deployed to Israel during the confrontation with Iran, and the US administration asked to keep them in the country for 72 hours after a possible agreement with Tehran is reached.
However, Israeli officials believe that such an agreement is not on the horizon, and concern is growing among civilian and security officials over the potential impact of the aircraft's presence on air traffic during the summer.
According to assessments, the American aircraft currently occupy about two-thirds of the airport's available parking spaces. As a result, the aim is to reduce their number significantly, even if some remain in Israel.
The issue is also has a security and legal one. Under the state of emergency still in force in Israel, the authority to determine where the aircraft are stationed rests with the commander of the Israeli Air Force, which is why the security establishment is also involved in the talks with the Americans.
Israeli officials stress that the request does not stem from dissatisfaction with the American presence. On the contrary, sources familiar with the details say the security establishment and political echelon greatly appreciate the contribution of the US forces and their mobilization to help defend Israel during the confrontation with Iran.
