The move will enable renovation work to be undertaken at Sde Dov; domestic flights will be shifted from Tel Aviv to Ben-Gurion Airport's Terminal 1 from October 26, 2008; the renovation work is essential for improving airport safety

Starting on October 26, renovation work for replacing the runway lighting will begin at Sde Dov airport in Tel Aviv. While the work is in progress, domestic flights to and from Sde Dov will be shifted to Ben-Gurion Airport's Terminal 1 for about two months. The move will affect the Sde Dov – Eilat route (Arkia and Israir), the Sde Dov – Rosh Pina route (Ayit airlines), and Elrom airlines' flights.

Ben-Gurion Airport's Terminal 1, which has been prepared this summer to handle international flights, will also be used for domestic flights while Sde Dov is closed. The IAA council and management had previously decided to bring forward Terminal 1's operational readiness to this summer in order to expand Israel's air traffic capacity.

The renovation of the runway lighting is essential for improving safety at the airport. The work will be executed by the Israel Air Force and jointly financed by the Air Force and the IAA.

IAA Director General Kobi Mor said: "The renovation of the runway lighting at Sde Dov is part of the Authority's policy of improving safety in all its installations. The renovation is vital for facilitating the safer operation of Sde Dov airport, which handles some 750,000 passengers a year on domestic flights." Mor added that the cost of the renovations is NIS 4 million.

In addition, the IAA council and its management has decided to allocate more than NIS 1 billion for upgrading safety, among other things by building a new control tower and upgrading the runways at Ben-Gurion Airport.

IAA Spokesperson's Office