Meets With Israeli Aviation Leaders To Discuss Expanding Cooperation

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta visited Israel this week as part of his stated commitment to further U.S. global leadership in aviation.

“FAA Administrator Michael Huerta visited Israel this week to follow up on working-level technical discussions between the FAA and Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI)," the FAA said in a joint statement released with the state of Israel as part of the visit. "In meetings with Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz, CAAI Director General Joel Feldschuh, and others, Administrator Huerta discussed the future of civil aviation and possibilities for expanding cooperation with Israel, particularly aimed at developing new, innovative technologies for the aviation sector.
 
"Administrator Huerta and Director General Feldschuh reaffirmed that the U.S. and Israel are working closely together to ensure the highest level of safety for commercial flights between our two countries, and expressed satisfaction that our nations are leading efforts to develop new technologies that will improve safety, security and efficiency worldwide. Director General Feldschuh took the opportunity to express the CAAI’s appreciation of the major role played by the FAA in elevating the CAAI to its current level of professionalism.
 
"Over the last year, the United States and the State of Israel have together developed new mechanisms to improve coordination and communication in civil aviation. These efforts have enhanced our interaction on a number of fronts, enabling us to remain prepared for a range of contingencies.
 
"Civil aviation is today bringing Americans and Israelis together in unprecedented numbers, as evidenced by new routes, increasing trade and investment, and new technological endeavors between our private sectors. In 2016, El Al, United, and Delta will expand flight options between Israel and the United States; El Al recently purchased and leased 15 Boeing aircraft; and Israeli and U.S. companies such as Israel Aerospace Industries and Gulfstream are doing great work together in civil aviation manufacturing.
 
"The U.S. looks forward to greater collaboration with Israel, particularly as it plays an increasingly important role in the world of aviation.”
 
Administrator Huerta also delivered a speech at the Israeli aerospace dinner where he emphasized the spirit of partnership in aviation, safety challenges, Israel’s leadership role in aviation, unmanned aircraft, and the importance of sharing safety data.
 
Last year, Administrator Huerta selected ‘global leadership’ as one of the agency’s four strategic initiatives. The Global Leadership Initiative is transforming how the FAA prioritizes and targets resources to engage with the international aviation community to improve safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability through regulatory harmonization and partnerships.

(Source: FAA news release)

FMI: www.faa.gov