EasyJet arrives in Israel

EasyJet arrived in Israel for the first time on Monday with the launch of its service from London to Tel Aviv. The company will operate six flights a week on its new Airbus A320 aircraft, purchased especially for the service to Tel Aviv.

Britain’s largest low cost carrier EasyJet landed in Israel for the first time and held a press conference in Terminal 3 of Ben Gurion Airport. Tom Phillips, British ambassador to Israel, who was supposed to be among the guests, was forced to cancel at the last minute; however he sent greetings and declared that EasyJet’s activities would help contribute to the business cooperation between Britain and Israel.

Paul Simmons, EasyJet's UK Regional General Manager and Sophie Dekkers, EasyJet's Commercial Manager, who waited for the first landing, estimated that in the first year the company would fly about 100,000 passengers. “As the sole low cost carrier on the London to Tel Aviv route, we are expecting to contribute significantly to the Israeli tourist industry.”

Simmons said to the waiting journalists: “We are indeed a low cost airline, but we have the highest volume of activity in Britain and we care very much about our passengers.” Simmons stressed that it was only recently that EasyJet had recognized Tel Aviv as an attractive destination, after already operating flights to Egypt and North Africa.

EasyJet will operate the up-to-date Airbus A320 on the new route. Flights will depart from London Luton Airport at 11:35 arriving in Israel at 18:35. The return flight from Tel Aviv departs at 19:25 arriving back at Luton Airport at 23:05. In addition to Israel, EasyJet is launching 25 new routes for the winter season.

In spite of the fierce competition on the route between London and Tel Aviv and the fact that in the last few months El Al has launched its own special economy service which is supposed to contend with British model, EasyJet explain “You Israelis will be pleasantly surprised.”

Indeed, looking at the aircraft and the 171 passengers on the first flight suggests that the Israeli passengers are in for a surprise. According to the passengers who arrived on the first flight, the interior of the aircraft is sufficiently spacious and the image of being overcrowded and uncomfortable is not valid.

“We heard about El Al’s new economy basic and we stress that our product is not the same as what you Israelis regard as being low cost,” explained Sophie Dekkers. “With us the emphasis is on cost-benefit and our price will always be lower than that of our competitors.”

When asked whether EasyJet might use Tel Aviv as a hub for ongoing regional flights, Dekkers replied: “Almost every destination that we fly to over time serves as a hub; Tel Aviv may also become one if we succeed to record a high volume of activity and of course if we receive the approval from the European Union.”