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Ben Gurion Airport. Who should get the honor?
Photo: IAA
Jerusalem Mayor Lupolianski
Photo: Haim Zach

Jerusalem mayor: Change airport's code from TLV to JLM

Lupolianski says Israel should change initials of national airport to denote capital's name rather than coastal city Tel Aviv's

Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski has asked the transportation minister and the head of the Israeli Airports Authority (IAA) to change the code for Israel's international Ben Gurion Airport from TLV to JLM.

 

In a letter to Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz and IAA Chairman Ovadia Ali, Lupolianski stated that on the 40th anniversary of the capital's reunification, the code should be changed to denote the name of the capital, Jerusalem, rather than Tel Aviv.

 

Lupolianski noted that in most countries, the central airport is called after the local capital, while inIsrael it is called after Tel Aviv, although it is not located there.

 

"Ben Gurion Airport is today the main gateway to the State of Israel," wrote the mayor. "Precisely because of the refusal of many countries to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, it would be fitting to change the formal initials of the terminal from TLV to JLM, and to add the name 'Jerusalem' to the airport's official name."

 

Lupolianski further stated that the current driving time from the airport to Jerusalem stands at 30 minutes, and is expected to become even shorter with the imminent opening of a new train line from Ben Gurion to the capital soon.

 

A spokesperson for the IAA said I response: "IAA chairman, Mr. Ovadia Ali welcomes the proposal of Jerusalem's mayor. However, in light of the political implications of the issue, Mr. Ali has asked for the opinion of the vice premier and the transportation minister before holding a discussion on the subject."

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.07.08, 13:17
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