US refueling planes disrupt Ben Gurion Airport, thousands of tickets expected to be canceled daily

Hebrew media sources revealed a severe operational crisis facing Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, as a result of allocating large areas to accommodate refueling aircraft belonging to the US Air Force. The sources explained that these measures come within the framework of strengthening the US military presence in the region to confront increasing Iranian threats.

Estimates discussed during the airport's emergency plan indicated that accommodating 7 American refueling aircraft would necessarily lead to the cancellation of about 5,000 travel tickets daily. Airport authorities fear that this military congestion could lead to partial paralysis in civilian air traffic and incur huge financial losses.

In a related context, informed sources stated that the US administration informed the Israeli side of its intention to escalate military operations against Iranian targets in the coming days. The notification included coordination for the transfer of additional military equipment and ammunition to support US fighter jet squadrons deployed in regional bases.

More than 10 refueling aircraft have already arrived in the occupied territories, as part of Washington's preparations to respond to any attacks that may target its interests in the Middle East. These intensive aerial movements aim to ensure the ability of fighter jets to remain in the air for longer periods during potential combat missions.

Reports quoted sources in the Israeli Air Force as saying that the US plan includes deploying about 100 refueling aircraft in various military bases, including Ramon Airport in the south. The sources confirmed that the widening scope of confrontation with Tehran may necessitate diverting more of these aircraft to Ben Gurion Airport despite civilian pressure.

Last weekend witnessed the arrival of 14 additional US aircraft of types designated for aerial supply, reflecting the seriousness of the ongoing military preparations. These aircraft serve as a fundamental pillar in any long-range aerial warfare effort that requires reaching deep into Iranian territory.

Washington had pressured Israeli authorities to lift previous restrictions on military aircraft landing at civilian airports. These pressures resulted in the full opening of Ben Gurion Airport runways to US military traffic, overcoming technical and logistical objections.

The roots of the current crisis go back to the freezing of previous plans aimed at clearing space for military aircraft during the busy summer travel season. With the development of events on the ground, security and military necessities outweighed the commercial interests of airlines and civilian passengers.

It is worth noting that the region has been experiencing a state of severe tension since February 2026, when the United States and Israel launched widespread attacks on Iran that left thousands dead. Despite intermittent periods of calm, US President Donald Trump's announcement of the end of the ceasefire this July reignited the confrontation.

Tehran, for its part, insists on imposing new mechanisms for regulating navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington considers a threat to the freedom of international trade. With the continued military buildup at Ben Gurion Airport and other bases, it appears that the region is heading towards a new round of direct conflict.

Allocating additional sites for US military aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport will lead to severe financial and operational losses and the cancellation of thousands of civilian flights.