Israel has reached understandings with the U.S. military to speed the removal of American aircraft parked at Ben Gurion Airport, lifting the remaining threat to more than 200,000 airline tickets in July and August, the Transportation Ministry said Friday.
The ministry said the move follows an earlier breakthrough about 10 days ago that removed the threat of cancellations for more than 2.4 million tickets.
US jets parked in Ben Gurion Airport
(Photo: Kobi Kuenkas)
Since June 16, 15 American aircraft have been moved out of Ben Gurion Airport. Under the new understandings, 30 more aircraft will be transferred gradually by Tuesday to Israeli Air Force bases around the country. Another 20 aircraft will be moved later.
Israel pledged that in the event of a security escalation, the American aircraft would be able to return to Ben Gurion Airport within about 72 hours.
The crisis stemmed from dozens of U.S. military refueling and transport aircraft parked at Ben Gurion, taking up a significant share of the airport’s capacity for civilian aircraft. The Israel Airports Authority had warned in recent weeks that without the aircraft being removed, airlines would have to reduce flight schedules during the summer season and the Jewish High Holidays.
At first, officials estimated that more than 2.4 million airline tickets could be canceled. The latest arrangement is expected to remove the remaining threat to more than 200,000 tickets for July and August.