JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport has effectively become a “U.S. military base,” severely disrupting civilian flight operations amid heightened regional tensions, the head of the country’s Civil Aviation Authority warned Monday.

Shmuel Zakay, director of the Civil Aviation Authority, told Transportation Minister Miri Regev that the heavy American military presence — including dozens of aircraft and refueling planes — is delaying the return of foreign carriers, inflating ticket prices ahead of the busy summer season and harming Israeli airlines, according to remarks reported by Israeli media.

The situation stems from escalating security needs since the war with Iran began Feb. 28. Zakay said the military activity has restricted access for civilian aircraft, with smaller Israeli carriers particularly hard hit.

Israir, for example, can now park only four of its usual 17 aircraft overnight at the airport, forcing higher operational costs and limited schedules for Israir, Arkia and Air Haifa, officials said.

Hundreds of hotel reservations in the southern resort city of Eilat have also been canceled through November to accommodate U.S. troops, further impacting Israel’s tourism industry.

Foreign carriers have been slow to resume full operations to Israel due to insurance and security concerns, exacerbating the bottlenecks at the country’s main international gateway.

Zakay’s comments come as Israeli authorities balance critical defense partnerships with the need to restore normal civilian aviation and economic activity.