Connectivity between India and Israel is all set to improve with Israeli airline Arkia going to start flights from Tel Aviv to Goa and Kochi from September 28. At present, El Al has a thrice-weekly Mumbai-Tel Aviv nonstop and Air India has five times a week direct on Delhi-Tel Aviv route.
According to Israel Tourism, Arkia will operate its 220-seater single-aisle Airbus A321 LR (long range) to fly nonstop from Tel Aviv to Goa and Kochi. “Arkia will fly once a week to Goa on Tuesdays and twice a week to Kochi on Mondays and Fridays. From October 27, 2019, the flight to the latter city will move to Sundays and Thursdays. The air travel will run all year round except during the monsoon season in India,” Israel Tourism said in a statement.
The increased connectivity comes as Israel recorded 21% growth with 70,800 Indian tourist arrivals to the country in 2018, up almost 21% from 58,700 travelers in 2017. India is now the 12th biggest source market for Israel.
Hassan Madah, director of Israel’s ministry of tourism (India and Philippines) said: “In light of the significant increase in incoming tourism from India over the past few years, the ministry of tourism has been encouraging of Israeli airlines like Arkia to foray into the Indian market. We see India becoming one of the key source markets for Israel in the coming years and with Arkia’s direct flights to Goa and Kochi, the Indian traveller’s interest will surely increase. Goa attracts many Israeli tourists who visit the Indian state for leisure holidays, while Israel has recorded a notable mix of pilgrimage and leisure travellers from Kochi. With nonstop operations from the west, north and now south of India; this will help meet the growing demand and enable us to achieve higher Indian arrivals to Israel in 2019.” Arkia’s full service flights on its A321LR has a “bring your own device” in-flight entertainment wherein the entertainment system will use an app for viewing on a passenger’s personal device.
Source : Aviation India
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