Delay in the withdrawal of American refueling tankers from Ben Gurion Airport threatens the cancellation of 50,000 air tickets

The Airports Authority says canceling the refueling evacuation “has an immediate and significant operational significance.” According to a statement released by the agency, “If the agreed evacuation scheme is not immediately resumed, a significant shortage of passenger aircraft parking space at Ben Gurion is expected to occur beginning July 23, which will force the Airports Authority to order the cancellation of approximately 10 flights per day. This effectively means the cancellation of 50,000 air tickets per month.”

According to the plan, 8 refueling tankers were to depart from Israel’s main airport by the end of the week. Instead, 4 refueling tankers who had already departed earlier returned to the airport.

Transport Minister Miri Regev has ordered that permission to land additional refueling tankers will not be granted without prior approval.

A peak in passenger traffic is expected at Ben Gurion Airport in the coming weeks. The Airports Authority predicts that the mark of 80 thousand passengers will be exceeded on every weekday until the end of the next month. For example, a peak in traffic is expected this coming Thursday – about 91 thousand passengers. Heavy traffic is also expected later this month, with approximately 90,000 passengers expected to pass through Ben Gurion on Sunday, July 26. The peak of monthly traffic at Ben Gurion is expected on Thursday, July 30, with a forecast of about 94 thousand passengers on approximately 560 flights. July as a whole should end with about 2.3 million passengers – an increase of about 25% compared to the same period last year.