Israel caps US refueling tankers at Ben Gurion, 50k flights

Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced on July 14 that the government will cap the number of U.S. Air Force refueling tankers at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport at 20 aircraft, a move that threatens to cancel tens of thousands of passenger flights during the peak summer travel season. The directive, which freezes a planned U.S. withdrawal of the aircraft, follows months of congestion caused by the military planes occupying parking spots and flight slots at Israel's main international gateway.

The presence of the U.S. tankers is tied to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which escalated in late February 2026. As part of its regional military posture, the U.S. deployed dozens of refueling and cargo planes to Ben Gurion. While a drawdown began in June, a recent renewal of fighting has halted that process. According to Israeli airport authorities, 33 U.S. refueling planes are currently parked at the airport, exceeding an earlier understanding that capped the number at 20. Overnight on July 14, four additional U.S. refueling aircraft landed, while 18 planes scheduled to depart in mid-July remained in place.