The director of Ben Gurion Airport, Brigadier General Shmuel Zakai, has announced the termination of his position. Zakai has served as Ben Gurion Airport’s director for 12 years and after a career of more than 18 years at the Airports Authority and Ben Gurion Airport, including as VP of terminals and domestic airports, VP of management and more. Zakai will end his position at the end of 2022.
Zakai’s announcement did not surprise those around him as the idea of terminating the position by him has come up in recent months. In recent months, Zakai has been dealing with the large loads at Ben Gurion Airport and the shortage of manpower. These loads lead to delays in takeoffs, long queues and luggage left on the ground.
He recently told Globes that he preferred not to limit the number of airlines on the number of flights to the summer schedule so as not to increase ticket prices in light of the small supply. He also estimated that Ben Gurion Airport lacks about 1,000 employees In Haifa.
Zakai announces his departure on the day he took over as CEO of the Israel Defense Forces, Maj. He completed his military service as head of the IDF (Personnel Division) and before that he served as Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Air Force, Head of the Air Squadron, Commander of the Yards Base and Head of the Planning and Organization Department of the Air Force.
Topolanski replaced Yaakov Ganot and his successor since retiring, Yoram Shapira. RASHAT recently raised NIS 1 billion through a bond issue, for the first time in its history. The money will be used by the Authority for Investment and Execution of Plans that includes the expansion of the airport infrastructure, the expansion of Terminal 3, the planning of additional fuel tank farms and more.