Transport Ministry officials, speaking to N12, accused the Defense Ministry of failing to prepare for the return of fuel-truck operators to Israel, resulting in only about 30 refuelers currently at Ben Gurion Airport. The dispute is the latest flare-up over the weeks-long fuel-truck shortage threatening summer flight schedules.
Transport Ministry officials on Tuesday accused the Defense Ministry of failing to prepare for the return of fuel-truck operators to Israel, leaving just about 30 refuelers at Ben Gurion Airport, according to Din Fisher (N12). The charge escalates a weeks-long dispute over the US refueling aircraft parking at Ben Gurion, which has repeatedly threatened commercial flight schedules this summer.
The accusation comes hours after Transportation Minister Miri Regev’s office had claimed the situation was under control. As The Zioneer reported on June 14, a solution had been promised by the National Security Council director, but the crisis has persisted. Previous rounds saw Regev authorize up to 20 US refuelers at Ben Gurion (June 7), then later deny they were returning (July 8), and accuse the US of taking up parking space without striking Iran (June 10).
The Defense Ministry has not yet responded to the latest accusation. The number of refuelers at the airport remains a fraction of the 72 aircraft that were stationed there earlier this summer.
4 developments
- DevelopingRegev: Ben Gurion operating normally, US refuelers not returning amid evacuation
- StrongRegev bars further US refueling planes at Ben Gurion, orders diversion to air bases
- DevelopingFuel-truck crisis at Ben Gurion Airport resolved, no flight cancellations expected
- StrongRegev orders IAA not to cancel summer flights, citing pending solution
Source and signal
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