Israel reacts to FAA downgrade

During a tour that took place at the site of the Israel Airports Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority, Minister of Tourism Mofaz watched from the control tower as an El Al flight landed under the control of the LDA system – being tested by the civil Aviation Authority.  The role of the new system which uses radio waves, will control  planes landing from an easterly direction rather than from the west.

According to the General Manager of the Israel Airports Authority, Giora Rom, the runway appears to the pilot like an imaginary 'straw' which guides him in and maximizes the safety of the landing.  The Minister of Transport added that the procedures to implement the safety infrastructure at Ben Gurion have recently been improved as a result of the decision of the FAA to downgrade air safety in Israel.  "The safety record of the aviation industry in Israel has been quite good" said Mofaz, "although the future didn't look quite so clear".

In a  briefing given to the media, Mofaz said that the Ministry of Transport is working flat out in order to meet the requirements of the Lapidot Report and to restore Ben Gurion airport to the highest safety level.  "Everything that could have be done with immediate effect to meet the demands of the  FAA has been carried out."

The Israel Airports Authority intends to invest one billion dollars to improve safety over the next four years.  The main investment designated to the installation of new systems, such as an automatic security system, warning system in an operational zone and technological checks at regional airports within Israel".