Panel to examine shutting down Sde Dov airport

The team was asked to submit its findings by July 1.

By RON FRIEDMAN
yisrael katz 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
yisrael katz 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Transportation Minister Israel Katz announced on Sunday that he has appointed a professional interministerial team to examine the implications of closing down Tel Aviv’s Sde Dov (Dov Hoz) airport.
The team was asked to submit its findings by July 1.
The team was established following a meeting last month between Katz and Construction and Housing Minister Ariel Attias which resulted in a decision to close the compound.
Katz said the team will examine the consequences for both military and civilian air traffic.
Situated on the north Tel Aviv coast, the Sde Dov compound covers roughly 1,300 dunams (130 hectares), 800 of which are designated for military use. Evacuation of the compound will make room for approximately 12,000 housing units in the popular residential northern Tel Aviv area.
The team will be headed up by Ministry of Transportationdirector-general Yaakov Ganot and will include representatives from theIsrael Airports Authority, the Israel Lands Administration, theMinistry of Defense and the Tel Aviv Municipality.