IATA tells Israel to abandon US, adopt global cargo norms

THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani is urging the Israeli Transport Minister Israel Katz to utilise global standards to strengthen the country's air freight sector.

Mr Bisignani called on Israel to speed up its exit from Category 2 of the US Federal Aviation Administration's International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA). He was cited as saying that remaining an IASA category 2 nation was a "national embarrassment" and costly for the financial health of Israeli carriers, reports the UK's Handy Shipping Guide.

"Let's be clear, global standards are not out of reach. Israel's four IATA member airlines (Arkia Israel Airlines, CAL Cargo Airlines, El Al and Israir Airlines) are on the registry of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) for achieving the highest standards in operational safety management. The regulator must also uphold global standards decided through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)."

Mr Bisignani also highlighted the urgent need for Israel to designate an alternate airport to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport to handle operational irregularities. Ovda Airport, the previous alternate airport for commercial flights, was closed to scheduled traffic earlier this year.
(Source:www.schednet.com)