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Israelis fear flight cancellations due to Iran, US aircraft parked at Ben Gurion, Israir CEO says

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Israir CEO Uri Sirkis expressed concerns about potential widespread flight cancellations due to escalating security tensions with Iran.
  • A shortage of parking spaces at Ben-Gurion Airport, exacerbated by the presence of US aircraft, is a key factor contributing to the problem.
  • Israeli airlines are also prohibited from flying to Dubai due to risks near the Iranian border, with the flight ban potentially extended until the end of October.

Israir CEO Uri Sirkis has voiced concerns that escalating security tensions with Iran could lead to widespread flight cancellations for Israelis. He highlighted that the presence of US aircraft at Ben-Gurion Airport is contributing to a shortage of parking spaces, impacting airline operations.

The US aircraft do not currently pose a problem for us. We have been dealing with a shortage of parking spaces at Ben-Gurion Airport for many months. This is a direct result of the number of US tanker aircraft.

— Uri SirkisIsrair CEO Uri Sirkis explaining the impact of US aircraft presence on Ben-Gurion Airport's parking capacity.

Sirkis explained that the Transport Ministry's decision to limit the number of American tankers allowed at the airport was a correct move, though he suggested it could have been implemented earlier. He proposed that these tanker aircraft could park at Israeli Air Force bases instead of Ben-Gurion Airport to alleviate the space crunch and allow Israeli airlines to continue serving passengers more smoothly.

"The US aircraft do not currently pose a problem for us. We have been dealing with a shortage of parking spaces at Ben-Gurion Airport for many months. This is a direct result of the number of US tanker aircraft," Sirkis stated during an interview with 103FM. He added, "What the transportation minister did was the right move, and it could have been done several weeks or months ago."

What the transportation minister did was the right move, and it could have been done several weeks or months ago.

— Uri SirkisIsrair CEO Uri Sirkis commenting on the Transport Ministry's decision regarding US tanker aircraft parking.

Furthermore, Israeli airlines are currently prohibited from flying to Dubai due to the risks associated with flying near the Iranian border. This ban, deemed justified by Sirkis, is reportedly being considered for extension until the end of October. The European aviation safety authority has also recommended vigilance and reduced flying in the airspace. Sirkis noted the current point of tension and the uncertainty surrounding the resumption of flights.

Since the attack in Iran, Israeli airlines have been prohibited from flying to Dubai. I think this was justified, because the route is close to the Iranian border.

— Uri SirkisIsrair CEO Uri Sirkis explaining the reasons behind the flight ban to Dubai.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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