Contrary to the recommendations of experts: the Knesset approved the first reading of the construction of the airport in Negev

The Knesset’s economic commission approved the first reading two private bills on the construction of a new international airport near the Navatim Air Force base in Negev.

Within the framework of the bills, it was found that the airport design should be completed before the end of 2025.

It should be noted that the government several times created expert commissions on the choice of the construction site of an additional international airport in Israel, and over and over the specialists came to the conclusion that the most appropriate is the construction of the airport near the Ramat David Air Force in the Izreel Valley.

The international airport in the north will be able to serve more the population, and its take-off and landing routes do not intersect with the take-off and landing routes of Ben-Gurion Airport, while when choosing Navatim, part of the routes will be imposed, preventing the potential of the new airport.

Despite this, each time the government refused to make the final choice in favor of the northern option in connection with the political pressure of the mayors of the south cities who wanted to get the airport and the heads of local councils of the Izreel Valley who did not want the airport at their side, which outweigh the positions of experts and the pressure of the mayors of several cities of the North, such as Afula and Carmiel.

As a result, the National Council for Design and Construction is currently promoting airport design in both locations.