All the news about Israeli tourism

Aeroflot, the second largest Russian airline, is to be appointed as the second carrier on the route from Moscow to Tel Aviv.  Aeroflot, operator of 2 weekly flights on the route between Moscow and Eilat, in recent days signed an agreement to be represented in Israel by Open Sky.

Aeroflot is expected to submit a request to serve as a carrier to Israel as part of the Russian Aviation Authority’s agreement to expand aviation between Russia and Israel as was agreed six months ago.  On the Israeli side, the contenders are Israir and Arkia who will operate alongside El Al on the route to the Russian capital.

In recent days Aeroflot has appointed Open Sky as its agent in Israel for handling passengers and cargo.  Until now, the Russian airline has not operated scheduled flights to Israel, but according to Ephraim Fortis, chairman of Open Sky, the potential and the desire exist.

 “Aeroflot has already expressed its wish to the Russian authorities to come to Israel on a daily basis,” explained Fortis. “Since the cancellation of visa requirements between the two countries, the business potential has also increased and for now we are waiting for the appropriate authorization.”

Aeroflot operates flights to 95 destinations in 48 countries and is a member of the airline alliance Skyteam, enabling it to fly to 905 destinations in 169 countries.

In November 2008 an aviation agreement was signed between Israel and Russia enabling airlines from the two countries to operate direct scheduled flights between Eilat and Moscow. The Russian Aviation Authority appointed Aeroflot as the main carrier on the route to Eilat and in parallel charter flights between Moscow and Eilat. On the Israeli side Arkia and Israir were appointed as the main carriers on the route.