Ben Gurion one of top Middle East airports

Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport is one of the leading airports in the Middle East, according to an international report released Tuesday.

The Airports Council International (ACI) released its annual Airport Service Quality (ASQ) report for 2011, ranking Israel’s international airport in third place, below the Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports. Shmuel Zakay, managing director of Ben Gurion Airport, said he was pleased to be at the top of the list for five consecutive years.

The report, based on surveys checking more than 30 parameters and surveying millions of travelers, said new technologies being introduced at Ben Gurion would situate it “the forefront of the international security technology.”

“Ben Gurion Airport leads a strategy of continuous focus on the improvement of passenger service level next to advanced technology and professional capabilities, while complying with high international service standards for passengers departing from and arriving in Israel,” the report added.

Zakay said 2011 was a good year for air traffic in and out of Israel, with more than 12.2 million passengers using the airport.

The ACI is an international body monitoring airports around the world, releasing reports that deal with various aspects of the airports.