2008 at Ben-Gurion Airport was a record year in international passenger and air traffic, in the course of which 11 million international passengers and 82,648 flights passed through the airport. Plans for 2009 are for the arrival and departure of 9.5 million international passengers on some 80,000 flights, plus some 12 million greeters and well wishers.

2009 began with a global economic crisis that has also affected airline companies and airports. At Ben-Gurion Airport, the crisis has resulted in a reduction of some 10% in the number of passengers and some 5% in the number of flights. We are doing our utmost to maintain the economic viability of the Israel Airports Authority during the current crisis.

During the past year, a survey was conducted among passengers and well wishers, in order to examine the quality of service at the airport. The survey was conducted by the Airports Council International (ACI), an organization encompassing the world's airports. According to this survey Ben-Gurion Airport is ranked first among airports in the Middle East and second in the world among airports with 5-15 million passengers a year. This is the second year running that these prestigious awards have been given to Ben-Gurion Airport. The ranking is based on the results of some 200,000 satisfaction questionnaires completed by passengers and well wishers throughout the world. The survey examines and compares 34 service points in the procedure for the departing and arriving passengers and for their well wishers at the airport.

ZAGAT magazine ranked Ben-Gurion Airport 4^th in the world, and the CONDE NAST TRAVELLER magazine ranked Ben-Gurion Airport 2^nd in the world among non-US airports.

These awards indicate the international recognition which we receive from organizations, magazines and our customers, all of which acknowledge Ben-Gurion Airport as one of the leading airports in the world.

This recognition also extends to the employees of Ben-Gurion Airport, who are considered among the first rank of professionals operating airports worldwide, and I sincerely thank the managers and the employees of all the sectors.

Pictured: Ben-Gurion Airport Managing Director Mr. Ze'ev Sarig receives the prizes for Best Airport in the Middle East and Second-Best Airport in the world at the ACI ceremony held in Shanghai in April 2008.