The Israel Airports Authority is intensifying its efforts to improve safety; Preparations are currently underway for choosing a new control-tower site at Ben-Gurion Airport to be built at a cost of more than 30 million shekels; Once the site is selected, detailed planning of the control tower will begin

The Israel Airports Authority is intensifying its efforts to enhance air safety. The IAA Council, headed by the chairman, Ovadia Eli, has decided to build a new control tower at Ben-Gurion Airport at a cost of more than 30 million shekels. When the examination of alternatives for siting the control tower are completed, the detailed planning work will begin.

Furthermore, new technologies will be introduced earlier than scheduled, including an ILS (Instrument Landing System) to be installed on runaway 30 for landings in harsh weather conditions. Shortening the timetable will enable the project to be completed by the end of March 2008.

The IAA further decided to execute a safety zone at the end of runway 26 in March 2008 – similar to the project already implemented on runway 12-30. Israel is one of the developed countries that has set up a Runway End Safety Area (RESA) according to the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization. The safety area at the end of runway 26 will be 90 meters long and 90 meters wide beyond the runway.

Furthermore, the IAA has decided to replace the voice recording system and the radar recording system in the control tower at Ben-Gurion Airport. In addition, the radio-communication control systems in the control towers of the domestic airports will be replaced by "ground-ground" and "ground-air" radio-communication switching systems. Also a new radio communication control system will be installed to serve as an emergency backup at Ben-Gurion Airport.

An 8-million-skekel secondary digital radar system, which will act as a backup to the principal radar system currently operating at Ben-Gurion Airport, will be purchased. In accordance with international guidelines for examining the proper operation of navigation aides, the calibration system for navigation aides spread throughout the country for calibrating and authorizing navigation aides will also be replaced.

Furthermore, as part of the IAA's efforts to intensify flight safety, the flight controllers will undergo further training and refresher courses in communication procedures and teamwork. Flight-controller training will be reinforced by training on a simulator in Canada and a computerized instructional system will be installed in the control tower and in the control units.

Of the IAA's total development budget of 1.6 billion shekels for 2008-2010, 550 million shekels has been earmarked for safety and security issues.