The baggage of El Al pilots will be routinely screened by X-ray machines before they board their planes, according to stepped up security measures issued by the airline prior to next week's opening of Ben-Gurion Airport's new terminal.
El Al pilots were exempt from X-ray screening at the old terminal, having been required only to sign a security declaration form.
El Al management said yesterday, "the airline does not comment on matters related to aviation security."
The new terminal will be unveiled today in a state ceremony to be attended by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, President Moshe Katsav and thousands of guests from Israel and overseas. Extra security precautions will be taken before and during the ceremony. The Shin Bet VIP protection unit has declared parts of the departures hall and surrounding areas where the ceremony will take place as "sterile areas," with invitees forced to undergo security checks, including inspections with metal detectors.
Based on the new El Al regulations at Terminal 3, an X-ray machine will be installed in the airline's compound soon, and all crew members will have to screen their baggage before departure.
Despite the new regulations, flight attendants and cockpit crew will report for duty at the same time as before, while the drive from the new terminal to the aircraft will be five minutes longer than at the old El Al compound.
Meanwhile, MK Ahmed Tibi (Ta'al) petitioned the High Court of Justice yesterday to obligate the Airports Authority to include Arabic on signs posted at the new terminal. Signs currently appear only in Hebrew and English.
