FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) director general Joel Feldschuh are exploring opportunities for the U.S. and Israel to build on recent collaborative efforts in the areas of aviation safety and new technologies. Huerta met with Feldschuh and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz during a visit this week in Israel.
During a September 16 speech in Jaffa, Huerta noted that the U.S. and Israel have improved coordination and communication in civil aviation over the last year. “Civil aviation today is bringing Americans and Israelis together in unprecedented numbers,” he said, noting the growth in airline routes, sales of Boeing aircraft to El Al and the joint manufacturing efforts between Israel Aerospace Industries and Gulfstream. “Israel has become an important supplier to many of the world’s leading aerospace companies,” he added.
The FAA and CAAI began an “in-depth exchange” after a rocket from Gaza landed about a mile from Ben-Gurion Airport on July 22 last year. The FAA issued a notice to airmen prohibiting U.S. carriers from using the airport for a period of time. The FAA, however, also began working with the CAAI to improve coordination. The efforts, he said, “are greatly assisting our communication and interaction on a number of fronts, and are helping us remain prepared for a range of contingencies.” He added, ”I hope, in the future, we can expand this cooperation to entail working together with U.S. and Israeli companies to find new, innovative technologies for the aviation sector.”