A dispute involving American military refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport may be nearing a resolution, with Transportation Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken saying Tuesday that he believes a solution could be reached within the next 24 hours.

Speaking on Kan Reshet Bet, Ben Zaken said Transportation Minister Miri Regev spoke with Defense Minister Israel Katz and other security officials, who agreed there is a need for at least 24 additional aircraft in order to accommodate thousands of passengers whose flights are at risk of cancellation during the peak July and August travel season.

Ben Zaken said he does not expect widespread flight cancellations this summer. “We must say that we are grateful to the Americans and appreciate the activity of the U.S. military and the U.S. Air Force shoulder-to-shoulder with the IDF,” he said.

“At the same time, we are doing everything possible to move the refueling aircraft off the airport grounds,” he added.

The issue has raised concerns in recent weeks over capacity at Ben Gurion Airport. Last month, Airports Authority Director General Sharon Kedmi warned that between two and three million Israelis could receive notices that their flights have been canceled because of the American military activity at the airport.

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