29.05.2026 06:30
The Israel Airports Authority announced that due to the deployment of US military refueling planes, only one-third of Ben Gurion Airport's capacity can be used, resulting in $248 million in losses over the past two months. Officials stated that 3 million passengers face the risk of flight cancellations during the summer season.
The Israel Airports Authority announced that due to the presence of US military refueling aircraft, only one-third of the capacity of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport is usable, resulting in a loss of $248 million over the past two months.
Sharon Kedmi, Director General of the Airports Authority, made assessments regarding the operational constraints and financial losses caused by US refueling aircraft stationed at Ben Gurion for attacks on Iran, in a statement to Israel's Reshet Bet radio.
Kedmi stated that 70 percent of airport activities are limited due to the stationing of US military refueling aircraft and the allocation of resources in this direction, using the following words:
"Currently, we can only use one-third of the airport's operational capacity. We have reached the limit of our capabilities. We will announce the cancellation of some flights in the coming days."
3 MILLION PASSENGERS AT RISK OF FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS
Noting that foreign airlines are unlikely to return to the airport anytime soon, Kedmi emphasized that if the current situation continues, widespread flight cancellations may occur during the summer season, affecting approximately 3 million passengers.
Reminding that dozens of US tanker aircraft are currently stationed at the airport, Kedmi pointed out that the financial picture is worsening, warning, "We have lost 700 million shekels ($248 million) as an authority in the last two months. If this continues, our losses could reach billions of dollars."
PASSENGER TARGET LOWERED
Kedmi reported that they initially aimed to host 18 million passengers this year, but under current conditions, it is projected that this figure will not exceed 15 million.
Expressing that the process remains uncertain, Kedmi said, "We have no information on when the US military's activities at the airport will end. We are in a state of constant change and uncertainty."