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Yisrael Katz, the Minister of Transport is weighing up the possibility of extending the last flight departure time from Ben Gurion Airport from the current 01:40 until 02:30.  Educational web site has discovered that in recent days the Minister of Transport has met with senior personnel from the Civil Aviation Authority and with elements within the aviation industry.

Yisrael Katz was asked by certain bodies to change the latest flight departure time, enabling foreign airlines to take off from Ben Gurion Airport up until 02:30.  This step is intended to provide a response to those companies that from time to time report delays as a result of Ben Gurion Airport being closed; forcing them to accommodate airline crews in Israel and delaying the aircraft’s next operations.

However this move is conditional on the airline meeting international standards and not deviating from “Stage 4” noise certification.  The topic of opening Ben Gurion Airport to all night time operations has recently been under discussion as part of the Economic Arrangements Law; however the Minister of Transport has expressed his opposition to this step saying that full nighttime operations will damage the quality of life for thousands of citizens living close to the airport.

Minister Katz warned that any change in the status quo that prohibits nighttime departures from Ben Gurion Airport requires the full agreement of the heads of the local municipalities and regional councils likely to be affected; adding that they have already expressed their resistance to the idea, fearing that it would affect the quality of life for their citizens.

A spokesperson for the Airports Authority referred to the Ministry of Transport for a response.  The Ministry of Transport reported that nighttime operations at Ben Gurion Airport would probably be approved soon, but with certain restrictions under the framework of the Economic Arrangements Law proposed by the Treasury.