Realizing a series of recent near-miss incidents over Ben-Gurion International Airport could easily have ended in tragedy; authorities have decided to enlarge the aerial boundaries of the nation’s airport, a move that requires the support of both Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz.

The additional airspace will be taken from the Tel Nof air force base, limiting the aerial area permitted for air force training maneuvers.

The move is the result of a number of recommendations released two months ago in the Lapidot Report, which cited serious safety deficiencies at the airport.

Officials are quick to announce that the additional will not result in increased noise pollution for residents, since the area being added is over a military base, not residential neighborhoods.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)