Ben Gurion Airport's Security Trustees Service, designed to cut down waiting times for businessmen, diplomats and foreign dignitaries, is expanding its activities

The Israel Airports Authority continues its efforts to improve service to travelers, shorten queues and facilitate the entry of foreign businessmen into Israel. The Security Trustees Service of Ben Gurion Airport's Security Division - established in 2001 in order to make things easier for businessmen who arrive as guests of Israeli companies, artists who come to perform in Israel, foreign lecturers, special groups of travelers, representatives of foreign nations and foreign government officials arriving in Israel - is being significantly expanded. The Security Trustees Center has moved to a new complex in Terminal 1, in order to enable fast and efficient response, and enlarge the capacity of the service.

The unit operating the Security Trustees Service was established in the wake of the stricter security screening procedures introduced after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Initially, the unit handled some 200 requests a month. Today it provides services to hundreds of companies, as well as government offices, universities and the security forces, handling over 10,000 requests a month.

The Security Trustees Service enables foreign nationals arriving in Israel as guests of Israeli corporate and government bodies to undergo a briefer security check, under the strict security regulations practiced at Ben Gurion Airport. The Service makes the security check process upon leaving Israel more efficient, and the work of the security personnel more effective. Since the service was launched, scores of thank-you letters have been received from passengers, and Security Trustees of various companies report their guests' high level of satisfaction with the Service.

Israeli companies wishing to join this Service must be registered with the Registrar of Companies. Each such company appoints a representative who acts as Security Trustee, and undergoes special training in order to report about the company's guests arriving from abroad. The Service operates all year round, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

IAA CEO Gabi Ofir: "The Service, developed by the Security Division of Ben Gurion Airport, saves thousands of hours of security screening each month, and precious waiting time for the passengers. The Airports Authority's uncompromising approach to quality service is expressed by placing the customer at the center of activities, while ensuring a high level of security."