US tankers paralyze Ben Gurion Airport amid renewed Iran crisis

The United States has suspended the withdrawal of its aerial refueling aircraft from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport amid renewed regional tensions with Iran, a move that could disrupt travel plans for tens of thousands of passengers during the peak July travel season, the Israel Airports Authority said.

The authority warned that unless additional US military aircraft are removed from Israel's main international airport, as many as 50,000 airline tickets could face cancellation due to limited apron capacity, The Times of Israel reports.

Earlier this month, the United States had begun relocating some of its military refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport after tensions appeared to ease following the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at permanently ending the US-Israel war with Iran.

However, the withdrawal process has now been frozen as the security situation has deteriorated.

According to the report, approximately 75 US aerial refueling and cargo aircraft have been stationed at Ben Gurion Airport for several months as part of Washington's military buildup in the region ahead of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, which erupted on February 28 and prompted the closure of Israeli airspace.

The large military presence has significantly reduced space available for civilian aircraft at Israel's primary international gateway, raising concerns over airport operations and the potential for widespread flight disruptions if the aircraft remain in place.

By Vafa Guliyeva