24.06.2026 06:50
The US has begun reducing the number of refueling aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv at Israel's request. Israeli media reported that the decision is not aimed at reducing military presence in the region, but rather to prepare for increased air traffic during the summer months.
The Israeli press announced that the US has begun reducing the number of refueling aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. It was stated that the decision was made to prepare for the increase in air traffic during the summer period.
ACTION TAKEN UPON ISRAEL'S REQUEST
According to a report by Israel's i24News channel, the US military has started to decrease the number of refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport in response to Israel's request.
The report indicated that this step was taken to create additional space at the airport and increase aircraft capacity in preparation for intensified air traffic during the summer months.
DOES NOT MEAN A REDUCTION IN MILITARY PRESENCE
The report emphasized that reducing the refueling aircraft does not imply a decrease in the US military presence in the Middle East. It was noted that the aircraft withdrawn from Tel Aviv have been deployed to various other locations in the region. No information was provided regarding how many refueling aircraft the US has withdrawn from Ben Gurion Airport.
THERE WERE 72 REFUELING AIRCRAFT
Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev had announced that the Washington administration maintained 72 refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport.
Sharon Kedmi, Director General of the Israel Airports Authority, also stated in a June 16 announcement that due to the congestion caused by US aircraft at the airport, approximately 100,000 flight tickets booked for July were at risk of cancellation.