Agreement to relocate dozens of US military aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport removes remaining threat to more than 200,000 airline tickets after earlier fears of mass cancellations Related TopicsIsrael 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.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.Comments