US air force begins relocating aircraft from Ben-Gurion airport: Hebrew media
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The US Air Force has started moving some of its aerial refueling aircraft away from Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Hebrew media reported on Thursday.
The aircraft, primarily Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-46 models, had been stationed there in recent weeks to support operations linked to the ongoing war with Iran.
According to Hebrew Channel 12, the relocation follows sustained pressure from Transportation Minister Miri Regev.
She urged ‘Israeli’ security officials to clear space at the airport to protect civilian flight schedules during one of the year’s busiest travel periods.
More than 2.6 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben-Gurion in August, with daily averages near 100,000 travelers.
Airport authorities have long warned that the presence of dozens of US tankers was straining parking positions and runway operations.
Earlier reports indicated that roughly 30 to 33 American refueling planes were parked at the civilian hub at various points, contributing to delays and raising the risk of widespread cancellations.
In the initial phase of the current move, about 10 aircraft are expected to depart, leaving around 25 on site.
The US military has preferred Ben-Gurion because it is viewed as less exposed to Iranian missile threats than some other regional bases.
However, ‘Israeli’ officials repeatedly stressed the need to balance military support with commercial aviation needs, especially as summer holiday traffic peaks.
Regev had previously directed that no more than 20 US tankers remain at the airport, with excess planes redirected to ‘Israeli’ Air Force facilities.
The timing of the relocation coincides with speculation about a possible diplomatic agreement involving Iran.
Hebrew media linked the partial withdrawal to shifting security assessments and emerging negotiations, though official details remain limited.
The report did not specify the exact destinations of the departing aircraft or confirm whether further reductions are planned.
Ben-Gurion has hosted US refueling assets since the early stages of the conflict that intensified earlier this year.
At peak periods, more than 60 American tankers were reported in ‘Israel’ overall, with a significant share concentrated at the main international airport and others at secondary sites such as Eilat.
The congestion had already forced adjustments to civilian schedules and prompted warnings of thousands of potential daily ticket cancellations.
