Israel’s three major airlines will soon resume flights to Turkey for the first time in more than a decade.
Israeli airlines suspended flights to Turkey in March 2007 due to high security expenses, leaving only Turkish Airlines and low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines operating between the two destinations.
According to Simple Flying, the resumption of flights comes after a bilateral civil aviation deal was signed by both countries in July last year.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, announced the news during a visit in solidarity to Turkey following the earthquakes last week.
Israir is the first to resume commercial passenger flights between the two destinations on Thursday, February 16, according to The Media Line. The flight also carried humanitarian aid for earthquake survivors in Turkey.
Arkia will begin its Istanbul flights on February 26, while El Al’s subsidiary, Sun d’Or, will resume flights on March 30. Sun d’Or will offer four weekly flights between Tel Aviv and Istanbul.
