MAYOR LEADS LOS ANGELES DELEGATION IN AGREEMENT TO INCREASE SECURITY AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Officials from Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport will review LAX security plans and provide analysis and recommendations to reduce threat of successful attack
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - As part of his mission to seek out best practices in airport security, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa oversaw an agreement between Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport to enhance LAX security plans to reduce the threat of a successful attack.
"Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport is widely considered to be the worldwide leader in airport security," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "The expertise and experience of Israeli airport officials will provide an invaluable
benefit to all Angelenos and our visitors by improving the safety and security of one of the nation's largest and most-traveled airports."
Prior to a detailed tour of Ben-Gurion Airport by Israeli Airport Security Director Nahum Liss, Mayor Villaraigosa oversaw the signing of a Letter of Agreement (LOA) between LAWA Director Gina Marie Lindsey and Ben-Gurion Airport Managing Director Zeev Sarig which provides for a peer review analysis of LAX security plans by Israeli airport security experts.
The peer review will take place at LAX in the fall of 2008, and will include a detailed analysis of current procedures along with recommendations to enhance the plans and reduce the threat of a successful attack.
Councilmembers Wendy Greuel, Jack Weiss and Dennis Zine also witnessed the agreement, along with Board of Airport Commissioners President Alan Rothenberg and several other members of the Los Angeles delegation.
As part of the tour led by Director Liss, Mayor Villaraigosa and the LA delegation witnessed first hand some of the toughest and most effective security procedures in the world.
Operated by the Israel Airport Authority, Ben Gurion served over 10 million passengers in 2007 making it the largest and busiest international Airport in Israel. Located nine miles southeast of Tel Aviv, the airport is the hub of El Al, Israir Airlines, Arkia Israel Airlines and Sun d’ Or International Airlines.
Protected by a security force that includes both police officers and IDG soldiers, Ben Gurion Airport is considered one of the world’s most secure airports. Airport security guards operate both in uniform and
undercover to maintain a high level of vigilance to detect any possible threats. The airport has been the target of several terrorist attacks, but no attempt to hijack a plane departing from Ben Gurion airport has
been successful.
The following is the text of the Letter of Agreement signed bydirectors Lindsey and Sarig:
Ben-Gurion International Airport
Mr. Zeev Sarig
Managing Director
P.O.Box 137,
Ben-Gurion Airport 70100
Dear Mr. Zeev Sarig:
This letter acknowledges Ben-Gurion International Airport’s (BGIA) agreement to provide a peer review analysis of the LAX Security Plans. In so doing, BGIA will identify best practices that can enhance the
efficacy of the procedures, staffing, facilities, equipment and technology that support Los Angeles World Airports' (LAWA) security.
Ben-Gurion International Airport with reference to the vulnerability study provided to LAX in 2007 will analyze the following:
· LAX security plans, current and proposed security measures; evaluate the individual components and day-to-day security measures at the airport;
· Policy and practice recommendations and observations
LAWA will reimburse expenses to be incurred by Ben-Gurion International Airports' peer review staff including airfare, hotel and other reasonable out-of pocket expenses for the peer review. LAWA will also
pay $1,000 per day honorarium compensation for team members' analysis. Any planned compensation in excess of $150,000 (U.S. Dollars) must be approved by the Los Angeles World Airports Board of Airport
Commissioners.
Sincerely, Accepted by:
Gina Marie Lindsey Mr. Zeev Sarig
Executive Director Managing Director
Los Angeles World Airports Ben-Gurion International Airport Israel
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