In its meeting on Tuesday August 28th, the IAA Council decided to offer alternative accommodation to Bnei Atarot residents meeting the criterion determined by the Ministry of Environmental Protection
In view of the constraint imposed upon the Israel Airports Authority to use runway 08 for takeoffs to the east, and out of consideration for the quality of the residents’ lives and the desire to allow them to sleep undisturbed, and after attempts to find aviation solutions had failed, it was agreed – in conjunction with the Ministry of Environmental Protection – to offer alternative accommodation to the residents of Bnei Atarot meeting the eligibility criterion.
The IAA council gave instructions to implement the decision immediately and the IAA management is doing everything necessary in order to do so.
At the same time, the IAA is continuing to do its utmost to minimize the environmental effects on the surrounding communities and on Moshav Bnei Atarot in particular. The IAA is striving to speed up the renovation and stratification of runway 12/30, which is a safety necessity, and is doing its best to finish the repair work as soon as possible. At this stage, the duration of the renovation is expected to be reduced by about one month and is scheduled to be completed at the end of this coming October.
Moreover, as part of the IAA’s efforts to minimize environmental effects, it has created – in a joint effort with the airline companies – a time slot during the night hours for takeoffs to the west and – in an unprecedented action, has closed down Ben Gurion Airport for landings during these hours.