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US Pulls Refueling Planes; Israel Moves Flights to Ovda, Ramon

8/7/2026

Summary

US Pulls Refuelers

The United States began withdrawing refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport after Minister Miri Regev urged the move.
Tanker numbers at Ben Gurion fell from 74 to 33 on July 14, leaving about 30, while aircraft arrived at Ovda and Ramon as Israel aims for up to 100 total.
Authorities expect over 2.6 million passengers at Ben Gurion in August—about 100,000 daily—and report no cancellations despite fears of up to 30 daily flight cuts.

Summary

Israel Airports Advises

The Israel Airports Authority warned travelers to arrive three hours early, use online check-in and self-service kiosks, and offered fast-track Terminal W for carry-on-only passengers.
Air Haifa opened ticket sales for a Haifa-Thessaloniki route launching Oct. 25 with twice-weekly flights and fares from 89 euros ($102).
Israir began a special air bridge to Eilat, operating at least 10 daily flights from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. after Sde Dov Airport’s closure.

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US Pulls Refuelers

The United States began withdrawing refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport after Minister Miri Regev urged the move.
Tanker numbers at Ben Gurion fell from 74 to 33 on July 14, leaving about 30, while aircraft arrived at Ovda and Ramon as Israel aims for up to 100 total.
Authorities expect over 2.6 million passengers at Ben Gurion in August—about 100,000 daily—and report no cancellations despite fears of up to 30 daily flight cuts.

1 / 2