Transportation Minister (Kadima) Shaul Mofaz explained on Sunday morning that while the downgrading of Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport is not a beneficial reality, it is necessary.

Mofaz explained that since assuming control of the ministry, he ordered form IAF commander Amos Lapidot to head a committee which uncovered major flaws and shortcomings in the airport’s operations, the result of decades of neglect.

The minister stated work is underway “but we work at our pace, not America’s”, resulting in the FAA downgrade (reported HERE on YWN). Mofaz stated with confidence that by 2010, the FAA will have no problem restoring the previous higher rating after Israel completes upgrades, stating he has received assurances from American officials that this will be the case providing the work demanded to meet new standard is completed.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)