Between takeoff and landing, a space has emerged at Ben-Gurion Airport that redefines the experience of time, and sets a new standard of hospitality: the Fattal Terminal, which has reshaped the aviation hospitality experience in Israel. Since its opening in 2019, the terminal recently completed a comprehensive upgrade and redesign of its hospitality complex, with a focus on a more precise, intimate, and meticulously curated experience.
This complex operation is led by Shani Shiferman-Gur, who brings an impressive combination of academic background and practical expertise.
Shiferman-Gur has a bachelor’s degree in communication and social sciences and an MBA in business management with a specialization in human resources
She began her career in the hospitality industry at the age of 21, grew through hands-on experience, accumulated extensive managerial expertise, and advanced to a key leadership role at the Fattal Terminal — a meeting point between the worlds of hospitality and personal freedom.
What does the private terminal offer?
An exclusive VIP experience for both commercial and private flight passengers, with a strong emphasis on discretion, maximum comfort, and meticulously delivered service aligned with international standards.
The complex is thoughtfully designed. It features a spacious lounge alongside private hospitality suites and fully equipped workspaces, enabling guests to make optimal use of their time before departure or after arrival. Complementing the service offering, guests enjoy a rich culinary experience, which includes a diverse buffet and a curated beverage menu, adding a refined, luxurious touch to every visit to the terminal.
How does the Fattal Terminal fit into the Fattal Group’s broader hospitality concept worldwide?
The Fattal Terminal is a direct continuation of the Fattal Group’s hospitality worlds. It is a complementary product to hotels, based on the same values of excellence, attention to detail, and a personalized and precise service experience.
It is not just a functional transition at the airport but another link in a complete experiential sequence, which takes place before the flight and continues after it. In this way, Fattal expands the boundaries of traditional hospitality and redefines a modern premium experience for an audience that values time, privacy, and precision. Because a true hospitality experience does not begin upon arrival at the destination but already on the way there.
To what extent did the time you lived in New York influence your professional worldview?It had a profound effect. New York taught me to work with different people from diverse cultures. I worked in a jewelry store on 47th Street, in the heart of a vibrant business district, where I had daily interfaces with businesspeople, entrepreneurs, and customers at various levels. There, I understood the importance of personalization, reading situations, and service that respects the person in front of you, regardless of his or her background.
What made you realize that the airport was the place for you?The desire to meet people at significant moments in their lives – be it departure, return home, a critical business trip, or a family vacation. An airport has a unique connection between cultures, emotions, and expectations. Hospitality and aviation meet at this exact place, creating an experience that has value, impact, and significance.
In 2019, you took on the management of the Fattal Terminal. What was the main challenge?To present to the Israeli market a premium product at an international level, one that had not yet been seen here. It was clear to us from day one that we were not establishing another lounge but a full terminal experience, with standards of refined service, maximum discretion, and uncompromising precision.
We worked in measured steps, with attention to every detail and building a committed and professional team. In just two and a half years, the Fattal Terminal was recognized as one of the seven best private terminals in the world alongside private terminals in New York, London, Dubai, Atlanta, St. Kitts in the Caribbean, and Fort Worth, Texas.
What makes the Fattal Terminal unique in its response to private and commercial flights?First and foremost, it provides a sense of security, certainty, and peace of mind. From the moment passengers enter the terminal, we want them to feel as if they have arrived in our living room.
We understand that time is one of the most precious assets in life, especially for our VIP clientele. The Fattal Terminal enables precise, efficient, and time-saving handling for both private and commercial flights. Our VIP team takes care of all the necessary arrangements at the airport in a personal, discreet manner, while the passenger can have a business meeting, eat, have a drink before the flight, or simply rest.
We provide a worry-free experience, from entering the terminal to boarding the plane, and the same process takes place on their return to Israel.
Investment in human resources is a cornerstone. Strict screening processes for our staff, in-depth training, and ongoing support create unparalleled professionalism alongside a homey atmosphere and a connected team that passengers feel immediately.
How has the hotel experience contributed to creating a different service experience at the terminal?I came from the world of five-star hotels, working with high-level delegations and businesspeople from all over the world. The meticulous preparations and the understanding that every detail has meaning created the DNA of the Fattal Terminal.
Service, courtesy, and the understanding that we are not only service providers but also ambassadors of the State of Israel who influence the initial experience of everyone who enters the country.
What is your most significant professional achievement?The ability to lead the Fattal Terminal even in times of extreme uncertainty, primarily the corona pandemic and the current war period, while maintaining stability, relevance, and high standards.
We were required to create solutions adapted to a changing reality, from holding discreet diplomatic meetings to conducting corona tests at the terminal and enabling international business meetings via Zoom.
This is the real achievement – the ability to identify a need, develop a viable solution, and continue to act responsibly without giving up on values.
Why is a private terminal no longer a luxury but a necessity for a certain audience?For people whose time is precious, who need certainty, discretion, and precise conduct, it is not a treat but a solution. A private terminal allows passengers to operate efficiently, maintain work continuity and peace of mind, and arrive for their flight calm and prepared.
Luxury service is measured by the ability to simplify complex processes and save valuable time without the passenger having to be involved.
How are the values of the Fattal Group reflected in the terminal?The values of Fattal — excellence, attentiveness to the guest, and attention to detail — are present in every decision. Even in an operational environment, we operate from a hotel concept that puts the person at the center.
We have brought five-star hotel standards to the world of aviation, not only in visibility but in service, approach, and responsibility for the overall experience.
To what degree does the terminal influence people’s impression of Israel?For many guests, the Fattal Terminal is their first and last impression of Israel. There is a great responsibility in this, so we see ourselves as ambassadors of a culture of service and professionalism.
How does the Fattal Terminal integrate into the Fattal Group’s hospitality philosophy worldwide?The Fattal Terminal is a direct extension of the hospitality universe of the Fattal Group. It is a complementary product to the company’s hotel portfolio, grounded in the same values of excellence, meticulous attention to detail, and personalized service.
It is not merely a functional transit point within the airport but an additional link in a seamless experiential journey –one that begins before the flight and continues beyond it.
This article was written in cooperation with Fattal Terminal
Source:
www.jpost.com
