Unless a last-minute solution is found, the Israel Airports Authority is expected to send airlines a dramatic letter tomorrow morning instructing them to begin preparing for large-scale flight cancellations this summer and during the High Holiday season.
At the center of the crisis is a shortage of aircraft parking space at Ben Gurion Airport, caused by dozens of U.S. transport and refueling planes currently stationed in Israel. Officials have warned that more than 2.4 million flight tickets could be affected.
What exactly is expected to happen, who will decide which flights are canceled and what does it mean for passengers? Here is what travelers need to know.
What is expected to happen tomorrow at Ben Gurion Airport?
Unless a last-minute directive comes from political officials, the Israel Airports Authority is expected to notify airlines of a major cut to the summer and High Holiday flight schedule. The notice is required about 14 days before July begins, giving airlines enough time to adjust schedules.
Who will decide which flights are canceled?
The Israel Airports Authority will not decide which flights are cut. According to IAA Director General Sharon Kedmi, each airline will make that decision based on its own commercial and operational needs, choosing which routes, dates or frequencies to reduce if cuts become necessary.
Why did the crisis happen?
According to the Israel Airports Authority, dozens of U.S. transport and refueling aircraft are taking up a large share of parking spaces at Ben Gurion Airport and Ramon Airport. At present, about 70 U.S. aircraft are parked at Ben Gurion and another 25 at Ramon. IAA officials say that unless some of them are moved, the airports will not be able to accommodate the full summer flight schedule.
How many passengers could be affected?
According to estimates presented by Kedmi and Transportation Minister Miri Regev, about 2.4 million flight tickets could be affected during July, August and the High Holiday season. Kedmi previously warned that “every fourth passenger” could receive a cancellation notice.
Will millions of tickets be canceled tomorrow?
No. The letter expected to be sent tomorrow does not cancel flights immediately. Its purpose is to allow airlines to begin preparing for the possible cancellation of some scheduled flights and to notify passengers far enough in advance.
Why is the two-week notice important for airlines?
Under Israel’s Aviation Services Law, known as the Tibi Law, when an airline notifies passengers of a flight cancellation at least 14 days before departure, it is generally exempt from paying fixed financial compensation. That is why the current timeline matters: it would allow airlines to reduce their exposure to compensation claims if they are forced to cancel flights.
Which flights are at risk?
According to the Israel Airports Authority, the affected flights would be those planned for July and August and the High Holiday period in September. At this stage, no list has been published of destinations or airlines that would be affected first.
Why not just move the U.S. aircraft to Israeli Air Force bases?
That option has been raised, but defense officials say Israeli Air Force bases currently cannot accommodate such a large number of U.S. refueling aircraft. They said only a few planes could be moved, and so far just four have been relocated.
Has a solution been found?
No official solution has been announced. Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office and National Security Council say a plan is being worked on to prevent flight disruptions, but the Israel Airports Authority says it has yet to receive operational instructions or a timetable for moving the aircraft.
Do President Donald Trump’s understandings with Iran solve the problem?
Officials familiar with the issue say the understandings do not solve the problem for now. While the U.S. aircraft could eventually be moved to bases elsewhere in the Middle East, no such decision has been made, and the planes remain in Israel.
What should travelers with summer flight tickets do now?
At this stage, passengers do not need to make changes or cancel flights on their own initiative. Flights are continuing to operate as usual, and no official announcement has been made to cancel any specific flights. Travelers should closely follow airline updates in the coming days, especially if the IAA sends the letter it has warned about.
Passengers who have not yet finalized their summer vacation plans may want to consider more flexible rates for hotels and other tourism services, allowing cancellation or changes without penalty if travel plans are unexpectedly disrupted.
If my flight is canceled, am I entitled to compensation?
Not necessarily. Under Israel’s Aviation Services Law, when an airline notifies passengers of a cancellation at least 14 days before departure, it is generally exempt from paying fixed financial compensation. However, passengers are usually still entitled to choose between a refund and an alternative ticket, depending on the circumstances.