Move aims to ease congestion as millions of passengers are expected to travel in August
TEL AVIV: The US Air Force has begun relocating several aerial refueling aircraft that had been stationed at Ben-Gurion Airport in recent weeks, according to a report by Israeli broadcaster N12 on Thursday. The move is intended to create additional operational space as Israel’s main international airport prepares for one of its busiest travel periods of the year.
The decision follows requests from Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who urged security officials to clear the refueling aircraft from the airport to ensure smooth passenger operations during the peak summer travel season.
Airport authorities expect more than 2.6 million passengers to pass through Ben-Gurion Airport during August, making it one of the busiest months since the October 7 attacks. Officials believe freeing up aircraft parking areas will help improve airport efficiency and reduce operational pressure.
Passenger traffic expected to surge
According to airport estimates, approximately 100,000 travelers are expected to use Ben-Gurion Airport each day throughout August. Authorities anticipate Thursdays will experience the highest weekly passenger traffic, while Monday, August 17, is projected to be the busiest single day of the month.
Officials said the relocation of the US military aircraft would provide additional parking positions and operational flexibility for commercial airlines handling increased flight schedules during the summer holiday period.
Despite the relocation, no official indication has been given that the move reflects any change in military cooperation between Israel and the United States. Instead, the adjustment appears primarily aimed at supporting airport operations during the seasonal travel surge.
Military presence remains undisclosed
The N12 report did not specify how many US tanker aircraft were relocated or identify their new destination. Likewise, Israeli and US authorities have not released additional operational details regarding the redeployment.
The refueling aircraft had been stationed at Ben-Gurion Airport amid ongoing regional security developments and continued military coordination between Washington and Jerusalem. Their temporary relocation is expected to ease congestion while allowing airport authorities to accommodate growing passenger numbers and maintain efficient flight operations throughout August.
Meanwhile, officials continue monitoring airport capacity as airlines expand services to meet strong seasonal demand, with authorities emphasizing that passenger safety and operational efficiency remain top priorities during the busy travel period.
