El Al is contemplating a lawsuit against Israel company director Chaim Romano told officials, explaining the airline maintains the highest possible security standard, adhering to all international standards. Nevertheless, Israel’s downgrading by America’s FAA last year is a costly reality for El Al and Romano does not see the government doing what it can to expedite being reclassified back to the previous higher status.

Israel’s Lapidot Commission headed by former IAF commander Lapidot in 2007 warned of the shortcomings of the nation’s international airport, but to date, many of the recommendations have yet to be implemented. The report cited serious safety flaws in the airport, which have been the subject of much outcry from Israel’s air traffic controllers.

Knesset Finance Committee officials this week promised the committee will not be the source of delays. Romano is calling on the Israel Airport Authority to act, along with the Ministry of Transportation and other agencies.

Giora Ram, a senior official in Israel’s Civil Airline Association and a retired IDF major-general believes the upgrade will be completed by 2010. Romano appears less optimistic.

Ram adds, “The decision to return Israel to its former status is that of the Americans, not former Transportation Minister Mofaz or incoming Minister Yisrael Katz and not me”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)