Approximately half of the US refueling aircraft currently stationed at Ben-Gurion Airport are expected to be relocated to Israel Air Force bases to reduce the risk of flight disruptions during the summer travel season, Maariv learned on Sunday.

Additionally, parking spaces at other airfields, including Megiddo, will be cleared for use by the Israel Air Force.

The operation is being managed by National Security Council Director Shmuel Ben-Ezra, and the relocation plan is expected to be finalized in the coming days.

The aircraft are anticipated to remain at Ben-Gurion Airport at least until the end of 2027. However, their presence, along with the US military personnel required to operate them, has already caused significant logistical challenges for the airport.

Ben-Gurion Airport operating at one-third capacity 

In May, the Israel Airports Authority reported that Ben-Gurion Airport was operating at one-third of its capacity due to the presence of the US refueling aircraft. 

Sharon Kedmi, the director general of the authority, stated on KAN’s Reshet Bet radio station that 70% of activities at the airport are restricted due to the space and resources occupied by American military operations. “We are only utilizing one-third of the airport’s operational capacity,” he said. “We are at the limit of our capabilities. There will be flights that we will announce in the coming days that are being canceled.”

Kedmi also noted that in the past two months, the authority has suffered a loss of 700 million shekels (approximately $248 million), and this figure could escalate to billions if the situation continues.

Emergency evacuation plan

In preparation for the potential signing of a US-Iran agreement to end the war, Ben-Gurion Airport was reportedly ready to facilitate an emergency evacuation of the US aircraft. 

Israeli authorities were informed last month that, upon approval of the agreement, US military planes will leave the airport immediately. The evacuation is designed to occur within 72 hours to nearby bases in Europe, and, should the conflict escalate, the aircraft would be placed on high alert at Ben-Gurion Airport.