An Israeli civil aviation official said Monday that increased U.S. military activity at Ben Gurion Airport is placing pressure on civilian operations, complicating commercial air traffic and raising concerns among Israeli airlines during a critical travel period.
Civil Aviation Authority chief Shmuel Zakay told Transportation Minister Miri Regev and ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken that military activity at Israel’s main international airport is delaying the return of foreign carriers and increasing ticket prices ahead of the summer tourism season, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
In recent weeks, Israeli media published images showing dozens of US military aircraft, including refueling planes, stationed at the airport amid continued US military support for Israel.
"Turning Ben Gurion International Airport into a military base harms the return of foreign airlines and threatens the financial stability of Israeli airlines,” Zakay said.
Regional tensions since the start of the war with Iran on Feb. 28 have significantly affected civilian air traffic, with Israeli airlines relocating many aircraft abroad, some of which have not yet returned, he added.
