PAL plans to offer nonstop flights to and from Israel

Philippine Airlines (PAL) said Friday it is planning to offer nonstop flights to and from Tel Aviv, the gateway to Israel by October this year.

PAL said it hopes to serve an increasing demand for flights between the Philippines and Israel to serve overseas Filipino workers and tourists.

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The flag carrier’s president and COO Gilbert Santa Maria and Israel Ministry of Tourism Director General Amir Halevi had exploratory talks on possible Manila-Tel Aviv-Manila flights.

“The Philippines is a strong source of potential travelers to Israel, which welcomes Filipinos without requiring a visa. Our countrymen have been longing for a direct flight to the Holy Land for spiritual pilgrimages or for a Mediterranean getaway when the travel climate allows. We also look forward to inviting Israelis to visit the Philippines, so our direct flights will help us restart tourism here in our country,” said PAL chief Strategy and Planning Officer Dexter Lee.

Meanwhile, Halevi said, “I am pleased to give this important first step to the tourism industry between Israel and the Philippines. Direct flights between our two capitals will be a game-changer for tourism and business connectivity. This time Israel has unique advantage as a safe and healthy country. We hope to welcome you soon in Israel!”

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PAL plans to offer nonstop flights to and from Israel

PAL said it mulls twice weekly nonstop flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion International Airport, using its Airbus A350 aircraft.

Philippine passport holders could avail of a 90-day visa-free access to Israel.

Around 28,000 Filipinos currently work in Israel, most of whom are based in the neighboring areas of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.

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“This will be a comeback for PAL, which operated regularly to Tel Aviv from the 1940s to the 1950s,” it said.

Last week, Israelis were no longer required to wear face masks after they successfully fought the COVID-19 pandemic in their country.

Its government managed to vaccinate 81% of is total population.

“We are leading the world right now when it comes to emerging from the coronavirus,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters. “(But) we have still not finished with the coronavirus. It can return.”

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