An American aerial refueling aircraft was photographed departing Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday afternoon, according to a report by The Zioneer accompanied by a photo from photographer Barak Shaked. The departure follows days of reports about US military refueling aircraft at the airport, as a fuel-truck shortage continues to threaten the summer travel schedule.
The departure of the US refueler, photographed by Barak Shaked at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday, adds a visual dimension to a story The Zioneer has been tracking since early June. The Zioneer reported on June 14 that US Air Force tankers were taking off from Ben Gurion heading east, and on June 16 that the US military planned to relocate roughly 20% of its refueling aircraft from the airport ahead of a reported agreement with Iran. Separately, the Israel Airports Authority director-general warned Tuesday that 100,000 July passenger tickets were at risk of cancellation due to a fuel-truck shortage, even as refueling aircraft began to depart. The single-source photo report is unconfirmed by official sources, and the specific destination and number of remaining refueling aircraft are not yet clear.
- DevelopingAirport chief warns 100,000 July passenger tickets at risk of cancellation
- StrongUS military to relocate ~20% of refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport ahead of Iran deal
- DevelopingBen Gurion Airport warns: 500 flights at risk of cancellation unless 15 fuel trucks are added
- DevelopingThree KC-135 tankers take off from Ben Gurion with transponders off, say spotters
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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