The escalating conflict between the US and Iran could cause 30 Israeli passenger flights to be canceled each day without Iran even firing at Israel, according to a Monday N12 report.
An emergency meeting was held at Ben-Gurion Airport on Monday, attended by Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, the directors of the Transportation Ministry and the Airports Authority, and other professionals.
They determined that the number of American refueling planes at Israeli airports could cause flights to be canceled during one of the busiest periods for the airports.
N12 reported that if seven more American refueling planes were added to Ben-Gurion Airport, bringing the total number to 40, the airport would be forced to cancel 30 flights a day from August 1.
This would leave approximately 5,000 passengers without flights each day.
Refueling aircraft expected to relocate by July 21
Other Israeli airports are also under increasing strain from US refueling aircraft, as Ilan Ramon Airport is currently hosting 28 American planes, with more than 10 additional refueling aircraft stationed at Israeli Air Force bases across the country.
Last week the Transport Ministry announced that the number of US refueling aircraft at Ben-Gurion Airport would be reduced to 20 by July 21, the number agreed upon by the relevant parties, with the remaining aircraft being transferred to IDF bases designated by the Defense Ministry.
The Transportation Ministry said the move would allow necessary military operations to continue while preserving aviation continuity and minimizing disruptions and cancellations, particularly during the busy summer travel season, when tens of thousands of Israelis are expected to fly abroad.
Reports from N12 on Monday suggest that the Transportation Ministry no longer expects the US to relocate the refuelers and is instead planning for the arrival of more.
