FAA administrator travels to Israel

Michael Huerta, the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), traveled to Israel this week to further establish the United States as a leader in international aviation. 

The purpose of the visit was to continue technical discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI). Huerta met with Joel Feldschuh (CAAI director general), Yisrael Katz (the minister of Transportation) as well as other local leaders to collaborate on the future of civil aviation.

About the visit, the FAA and Israel released a joint statement highlighting the benefits of their collaboration.

“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,” the statement said. “These efforts have enhanced our interaction on a number of fronts, enabling us to remain prepared for a range of contingencies.”

The leaders also hope their relations will create novel technologies in the aviation sector.

“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,” the statement said. “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 aircrafts; 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.”