Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., January 10, 2008 Shvat 3, 5768 | | Israel Time: 03:42 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz. (Ofer Vaknin) Last update - 19:43 09/01/2008 Panel says aviation security in Israel is in 'catastrophic state' By Zohar Blumenkrantz, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Lapidot committee  The Lapidot public committee, headed by Major-General (ret.) Amos Lapidot and appointed by Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, said Wednesday that aviation safety in Israel is in a "catastrophic state." The panel's final report criticized the infrastructure at Ben Gurion International Airport, air traffic control systems and legislation pertaining to the matter. The final report, which was handed over to Mofaz at the end of December, points out a series of severe faults in aviation safety in Israel. The report followed the interim report compiled by the committee in this past August, which specifically targeted the February 7, 2007 incident at Ben-Gurion Airport, where a collision between an El-Al plane and an Iberian Airlines plane was barely averted. Advertisement The committee slammed the Israeli Association of General Aviation, saying it fails to function as the country's central aviation body. The panel recommended it implement the new organizational structure that was recently approved, enlist eight experts in various aviation fields and reauthorize and train officials in the association. The report also called for the establishment of an independent legal body to promote legislative activity in the field of aviation and to deal with various legal matters. The panel criticized the air traffic control, maintaining that Israeli air traffic controllers do not always speak in English and use the acceptable terminology. They called to increase supervision on air traffic control systems, and to better train the controllers. The Lapidot committee said Israel has not fully seen the technological developments of the last decades in the field of air traffic control systems. The Transportation Ministry's spokesperson, Avner Ovadia, said that "the report has been delivered to the transportation minister, and will be published next week. Related articles: Panel: Aviation safety in Israel is severely neglected, may deteriorate Drill exposes serious security failures at Ben-Gurion International Airport Mofaz to announce formation of aviation safety task force Bookmark to del.icio.us   'Bush go home' Israeli Arab parties join leftist protests against the Bush visit. Peace overture Syria says it isn't seeking a military solution with Israel.   1.   Pay attention, you people in authority! 19:23  |  newageblues 09/01/08   2.   ATTN. EDITORS, TRANSLATORS 20:20  |  michhell 09/01/08   3.   TRAVELLER, HOW DO YOU WANT TO DIE? 21:26  |  Kooky Dennt 09/01/08   4.   golani 21:37  |  haim 09/01/08   5.   The Israeli Paradox 21:40  |  Shrink 09/01/08   6.   BG airport: staff is rude and nothing goes orderly. 22:59  |  Sara 09/01/08

Today Online Bush in Israel: West Bank outposts 'have got to go' Responses: 252 Palestinians: IDF strike kills two civilians in northern Gaza Strip Responses: 185 Bradley Burston: Mr. Bush, you were born to make peace Responses: 130 Early warning system fails to spot Katyusha strike in North Responses: 94 Jewish group asks AG to halt dig in J'lem Muslim Quarter Responses: 75 Rosner's Domain What does "change" mean for Israel? How many states between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates? (WTR) New poll: Who is the candidate that will have better policies for Israel? Rosner's Guest: Israel at present is not a light unto the nations Rosner's Mailbox: Anti-Semites within Ron Paul's camp More Headlines 03:14 Bush to tell Abbas: Choice is between 'state or chaos' 02:23 ANALYSIS: Bush visit gives PM a welcome pre-Winograd respite 22:14 Israeli Arab parties join leftist protests against Bush visit 23:37 IDF strikes kill two militants in separate Gaza Strip incidents 20:50 Coming soon to a Spanish theater: Anne Frank the musical 23:02 Syria says it's not seeking military solution with Israel 01:05 57 MKs vow to vote against evacuation-compensation bill 17:22 Bush quizzes Shas chief Yishai over threat to quit government 21:36 Police recommend indicting Minister Yaakov Edri for breach of trust Previous Editions Select Day 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec

Special Offers Advertisement FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! AMERICANS CHOOSE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE U.S. citizen in Israel vote in Democrats-Abroad official global primary.

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved