The US military is expected to relocate approximately 20% of the 72 refueling aircraft currently stationed at Ben Gurion Airport to ease congestion, according to open-source intelligence reports. However, reports do not confirm the withdrawal of 32 out of 60-70 aircraft.
A new report from open-source intelligence indicates that the US military plans to relocate approximately 20% of its 72 refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport to alleviate congestion. The report does not confirm the previously suggested withdrawal of 32 aircraft from a total of 60-70, a figure that had been circulating in some circles.
The US aircraft presence at Ben Gurion has been a subject of ongoing discussion since mid-June, when reports emerged of congestion impacting civilian flight schedules. As The Zioneer reported, several rounds of departures have taken place: 15 aircraft left on June 25 for regional bases including Al Udeid in Qatar, and Transportation Minister Miri Regev stated on June 26 that the US had committed to removing 20 aircraft by Tuesday. Later reports indicated over a third of the aircraft had departed.
The new report suggests that the full extent of the withdrawal may be more limited than anticipated, with the focus on moving about 20% (roughly 14-15 aircraft) rather than the 32 figure. This could ease but not fully resolve the parking congestion at Ben Gurion, which has threatened summer flight schedules.
- StrongUS military to relocate ~20% of refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport ahead of Iran deal
- StrongUS pledges to remove ~20 refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion by Tuesday, Regev says
- Strong20 US aircraft evacuated from Ben Gurion, 12 more expected by end of month
- DevelopingOver a third of US aircraft have departed Ben Gurion Airport
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