Israeli transportation officials say they are optimistic that a growing dispute involving American refueling operations at Ben Gurion Airport will soon be resolved, potentially averting widespread flight disruptions during the busy summer travel season.
Transportation Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken said he expects a breakthrough in the situation within the next day.
“I believe it will happen within 24 hours,” Ben Zaken said during an interview with Kan Reshet Bet. He noted that Transportation Minister Miri Regev held discussions Tuesday with the Defense Minister and senior security officials. “They also understood that there is a need for at least 24 additional aircraft so that we can enable flights for thousands of ticket holders who are facing the threat of cancellations in July and August.”
Ben Zaken expressed confidence that Israeli travelers will not experience major summer flight cancellations, rejecting more pessimistic forecasts that have circulated in recent weeks.
His assessment stands in contrast to warnings issued by Israel Airports Authority Director General Sharon Kedmi, who has cautioned that millions of passengers could be affected by disruptions stemming from American military activity at the airport.
According to Kedmi, between two and three million Israelis may receive notices this summer informing them that their flights have been canceled because of operational constraints tied to the American presence at Ben Gurion Airport.
Kedmi has repeatedly warned that the airport is operating under severe limitations, claiming that approximately 70 percent of its normal activity has been curtailed due to ongoing American military operations.
“We are using only one-third of the airport’s operational capacity. We are at the very limit of our capabilities. There will be flights that, in the coming days, we will announce are being canceled, and airlines will not be able to return at the pace they want. There will also be delays in departures from abroad.”
Despite those concerns, transportation officials maintain that efforts are underway to expand capacity and prevent large-scale disruptions, expressing hope that additional aircraft and improved coordination with security authorities will allow airlines to meet expected summer demand.
{Matzav.com}