The Israeli Airport Authority (IAA) has asked the United States to remove 19 Air Force refueling aircraft from Tel-Aviv-Ben-Gourion Airport by December 31, 2026. The request is due to the return of commercial air travel, which has made it more difficult to manage the airport's operations. The IAA, which oversees Israel's airports, explained that the growing number of civilian flights requires the airport to prioritize its infrastructure, such as parking spaces and runways, for commercial airlines. Sharon Kedmi, the general director of the IAA, mentioned the request in an interview with the Israeli channel N12. While the IAA acknowledges the military importance of the US aircraft, it says that the airport can no longer support heavy military planes alongside its normal operations. At Ben-Gourion Airport, the main challenge is ensuring enough space for commercial planes and their movements. The IAA expects passenger numbers to return to their 2019 levels by 2027, which would require the airport to operate at full capacity. Yiftah Ron-Tal, president of the IAA, said the airport could handle up to 90,000 passengers per day and that commercial air traffic would continue to be a priority. Sharon Kedmi warned that adding more US refueling aircraft could lead to flight cancellations, as the airport might not be able to handle the extra traffic. The IAA claims that the presence of the American aircraft has already caused delays and reduced the number of spaces available for commercial flights. If the US does not remove the aircraft by the deadline, the IAA says it may have to restrict or even cancel some civilian flights. The request is not limited to Tel-Aviv. At Ramon Airport, near Eilat, the US must stop nighttime operations by November 1. Local reports suggest that the airport will only be used during the day, partly because of limited staff and the strain on airport workers. The IAA wants to formalize an agreement with the US about the costs of keeping the military planes at the airports, including security and maintenance expenses. The financial and logistical challenges of hosting US military aircraft have made it difficult to find a long-term solution. While Ramon Airport is sometimes used as an alternative, the IAA says it cannot fully meet the needs of the US military. The situation highlights the growing tension between military and civilian use of Israeli airports, as the country tries to balance its strategic partnerships with its domestic needs.