Passengers arriving at Ben Gurion Airport are continuing to face lengthy waits for their checked baggage, with airport officials attributing the delays to the presence of American aerial refueling aircraft that have placed an unusual strain on airport operations during the height of the summer travel season.

Many travelers on Thursday reported waiting several hours before their luggage arrived, as heavy congestion disrupted the normal pace of baggage handling and airport operations.

The Israel Airports Authority said the delays are directly linked to the presence of U.S. refueling aircraft, referred to by officials as “partner aircraft,” which are creating an exceptional operational burden at one of the busiest times of the year.

While acknowledging the frustration experienced by travelers, airport officials stressed that their top priority is keeping flights on schedule and preventing cancellations.

According to the Airports Authority, the presence of the American refueling aircraft has created “an exceptional operational burden” and a “domino effect” that is disrupting flight schedules and slowing airport operations across the board.

The impact has been especially noticeable during the peak summer travel season, as Ben Gurion Airport is handling record levels of passenger traffic and flight activity each day.

In a statement, the Airports Authority said it understands passengers’ frustration and apologized for the inconvenience, explaining that the operational challenges stem from the added demands created by the American refueling aircraft while emphasizing that every effort is being made to maintain normal flight operations and minimize disruptions.