US tells Israel it will send dozens more refueling planes amid Ben-Gurion crowding crisis - report

The United States is preparing to send dozens more refueling planes to Israel, a move reportedly linked to potential escalations in military operations against Iran. This influx of aircraft is creating a significant logistical challenge at Ben-Gurion Airport, threatening to disrupt civilian air traffic.

US officials cited by Axios suggest the Trump administration is considering various options for action against Iran, including strikes on infrastructure and nuclear facilities. The US military prefers using Ben-Gurion Airport for its refueling planes due to its perceived lower exposure to Iranian attacks compared to other regional bases. However, the approximately 30 US planes already stationed there are causing a crisis for Israel's civilian aviation.

The Israel Airports Authority and the Transportation Ministry have warned that if the US planes are not relocated, thousands of flights and around 50,000 tickets may need to be canceled. Transportation Minister Miri Regev has demanded a reduction in the number of US refueling aircraft to 20 to protect the summer vacation flight schedule.

Disagreements have emerged regarding the relocation of these planes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), with the backing of its chief of staff, opposes moving the aircraft to bases in the Negev desert. While the Transportation Ministry announced a partial solution involving relocating 10 planes, US sources indicated these alternative locations would not meet their military requirements. This standoff highlights the tension between military needs and civilian infrastructure at a critical regional airport.