Story perspectives

US Refueler Freeze Cuts Ben-Gurion Flights, Threatens 50,000 Passengers

7/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

United States froze evacuation of its refueling aircraft at Ben-Gurion Airport in July.
Israel Airports Authority director-general Sharon Kedmi said the refuelers cut capacity to one-third and cost 700 million shekels.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev pledged no summer tickets will be canceled and limited U.S. planes at Ben-Gurion to 20.
Officials warned that without a withdrawal plan, up to 10 flights per day could be canceled from July 23, affecting nearly 50,000 passengers.

History

Historical Context

During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the United States launched Operation Nickel Grass, airlifting roughly 22,300 tons of weapons to Israel and prompting an OAPEC oil embargo that sparked the 1973 oil crisis. The airlift’s reliance on KC-135 tankers highlighted the strategic value of foreign refueling. Today Israel’s Airports Authority, led by Sharon Kedmi, caps U.S. tankers at one-third capacity, with Transport Minister Miri Regev limiting flights to 20 planes.

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Story summary

United States froze evacuation of its refueling aircraft at Ben-Gurion Airport in July.
Israel Airports Authority director-general Sharon Kedmi said the refuelers cut capacity to one-third and cost 700 million shekels.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev pledged no summer tickets will be canceled and limited U.S. planes at Ben-Gurion to 20.
Officials warned that without a withdrawal plan, up to 10 flights per day could be canceled from July 23, affecting nearly 50,000 passengers.

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