New Ben Gurion airport runways inaugurated

The project allows increased air traffic and enhanced safety at the airport.

The Ben Gurion International Airport runway upgrade project was completed today.

The four-year project was carried out with a NIS 1 billion investment from the Israeli Airports Authority budget, included paving 22 kilometers of runway, using more than 1.5 million tons of asphalt, laying one million meters of runway lighting cables, 50,000 meters of high-voltage power lines, and 10,000 light fixtures. The objective was to improve safety by separating inbound and outbound air traffic which, over the years, suffered from traffic control restrictions; to allow simultaneous takeoffs and landings; and to increase air traffic at Ben Gurion International Airport.

The new Track 21 was inaugurated today by an El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. (TASE: ELAL) plane landing from Rhodes, on the new runway at 9:25 am. Later, flights from Antalya, Kiev, Burgas landed on it, and a United Airlines flight from New York.

Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz said at the ceremony, “Opening the runway today and upgrading the runways brings an end to a unique project that I led in a decision-making process more than four years ago, as part of significant improvement of the safety situation and an expansion of Ben Gurion International Airport’s capacity. This is another stage in the implementation of the Open Skies reform for fair competition to more destinations, more airlines, and doubling air traffic. There is an increase in the number of flights and passengers, and this is part of the price revolution that makes it possible to fly at competitive prices to suit every pocket.”

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 29, 2014

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2014

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