Tel aviv: The presence of US military aircraft at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport has cost the country's airport authority 700 million shekels ($248 million) in losses over the past two months, Israeli officials said Thursday, warning that the figure could rise to billions if the situation continues.

According to Anadolu Agency, Sharon Kedmi, director general of the Israel Airports Authority, stated that Ben Gurion Airport is currently operating at only one-third of its capacity due to the presence of US military refueling aircraft. Kedmi highlighted that around 70% of the airport's activities have been restricted due to space and resources occupied by American military operations.

Kedmi expressed concern that further flight cancellations will be announced in the coming days as the airport is at the limit of its capabilities. He also warned that losses could climb into the billions if current conditions persist, affecting the expected passenger traffic through the airport. Initially, the authority had anticipated 18 million passengers this year, but current estimates suggest the figure may not exceed 15 million.

Foreign airlines are also unlikely to resume operations in the near future, Kedmi noted, potentially impacting up to 3 million passengers due to disruptions and cancellations. Dozens of US tanker aircraft are currently stationed at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international gateway near Tel Aviv.

Earlier this month, Israeli media quoted Civil Aviation Authority chief Shmuel Zakay as saying that US military aircraft at Ben Gurion were crippling civilian flights, delaying the return of foreign carriers, and driving up ticket prices. Zakay informed Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev that Ben Gurion had 'turned into a military airfield with limited civilian activity,' warning that the situation was harming local airlines.