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The managing director of Ben Gurion Airport, Zeev Sarig will end his term of office this coming November after 5 years as managing director and after 33 years working for the Israel Airports Authority (IAA).  His replacement will be chosen from one of three candidates, among them Deputy Director General of Administration & Organization, Shmuel Zakai.

Sarig, who has reached retirement age, already completed his term of office in April 2009, however was asked by the board of the IAA to continue in his role until a replacement has been chosen.  He retires after 38 years working for the Authority, the last 5 as director general, during which time Ben Gurion Airport won numerous awards in international surveys.

His replacement will probably be chosen from among a list of three:  Former Brigadier General Shmuel Zakai, Deputy Director General of Administration & Organization for the IAA; Dadi Shachar, former manager of Eilat Airport and Shmuel Kandel, Deputy Director General of Planning & Engineering for the IAA.  In the coming days a committee is expected to begin its initial selection process.

During his incumbency, Sarig clashed with the former director general of the IAA, Gabi Ophir, who accused Sarig of not fulfilling his operational and administrative instructions.

Ophir also accused Sarig of receiving benefits from the airlines. In the end, the decision of then Minister of Transport Mofaz, was to dismiss Ophir and in his place appoint Kobi Mor.