Israeli media: US military halts withdrawal of aerial refueling aircraft

The U.S. military canceled plans to withdraw aerial refueling tankers from Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport amid escalating tensions with Iran, Israeli media reported on Tuesday.

According to a website affiliated with Yedioth Ahronoth, 33 U.S. refueling tankers had been scheduled to occupy slots at Israel’s busiest airport, which were originally intended for commercial airlines. The Jerusalem Post reported that this could result in the cancellation of 50,000 tickets for civilian flights during the summer holiday season.

The newspaper stated that the airport is currently able to utilize only one-third of its capacity for civilian aviation. Orders have been issued not to approve any additional U.S. refueling tankers.

Eighteen refueling tankers were scheduled to depart in the second half of July. If they are not withdrawn, the airport will have to notify airlines that flight operations will be restricted until August.