Transportation Ministry to hold situational assessment amid fears of flight cancellations - report

Jerusalem Post/Israel NewsThe Transportation Ministry, Israel Airports Authority, and the Civil Aviation Authority will reportedly discuss the risks of flight cancellations caused by parked refueling aircraft at Ben-Gurion.Follow us on GoogleAmerican aircraft take off from Ben Gurion airport, during the Israel/US war with Iran, March 04, 2026.(photo credit: YOSSI ALONI/FLASH90)ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFJULY 19, 2026 21:56A situational assessment led by Transportation Minister Miri Regev is set to be held at Ben-Gurion Airport on Monday regarding the arrival of dozens of additional US Air Force refueling aircraft, N12 News reported on Sunday.The meeting will be attended by the ministry's director-general, as well as representatives of the Israel Airports Authority and Civil Aviation Authority, N12 reported.Ben-Gurion Airport is expected to handle over 500,000 passengers this week alone, according to N12, with the large number of US aircraft on the field expected to cause mass flight cancellations.Ben-Gurion Airport is considered a safer location than the bases around the Middle East already struck by Iran, the report noted, with many of the planes arriving from such bases, though some aircraft will arrive directly from the US.Dozens of US refueling aircraft are already set to be deployed at multiple IAF bases, as well as Ramon Airport near Eilat in the South.Minister of Transportation Miri Regev speaks at the Muni Expo 2026 conference in Tel Aviv, on June 23, 2026. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)According to the report, there is little space available for US aircraft at Israeli air force bases, meaning the Transportation Ministry will not be able to prevent the planes from landing at Ben-Gurion upon arrival.The Jerusalem Post reached out to the Transportation Ministry for comment.US-Israeli coordination to naturally tightenA senior security official said earlier on Sunday that coordination between the US and Israeli militaries will naturally tighten as further US forces arrive in the region.Also on Sunday, an IAF source told Walla that 14 US refueling aircraft arrived in Israel over the weekend amid the escalation in the US-Iran conflict.In addition to refueling aircraft, the US military is deploying F-35 aircraft from the UK and F-15 aircraft from Germany to the Middle East, including specialized aircraft designed to suppress enemy air defenses and radar systems.Amir Bohbot contributed to this report.Follow us on Google