Delta Air Lines today launched a flight line between Israel and Atlanta at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL). Despite the take-off curfew that broke too late at the end of the launch ceremony. The plane that landed from a flight from Atlanta was received with a water ceremony in front of the terminal.
The new line will initially operate three times a week, and from the middle of next month the number of flights will increase to daily flights 7 times a week. The new flights will be added to the existing direct flights to New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS). From now on, Delta offers three direct destinations to the US. This will offer more access options to the US than ever before. In total, starting in April, Delta will operate 17 flights a week between Israel and the USA. Delta flights from Tel Aviv to Atlanta will take off at 11:30 and land in Atlanta at 17:55.
At a welcome ceremony held today in Tel Aviv, Delta’s commercial director in Israel, Esti Hershkovitz, said: “Delta is happy about the expansion of the flight network from Tel Aviv and the addition of direct flights to Atlanta, the largest departure gate for the entire United States. Increasing our offer of direct flights between Tel Aviv and various destinations in the US will allow opportunities for growth for both the business sector and leisure tourism between the two countries.”
The US deputy ambassador to Israel, Stephanie L. Hallet, said: “900,000 Americans flew to Israel in 2019 before the corona virus, and we want to return to those numbers. Today, the United States is the second destination abroad for Israelis, and we want to be number 1. Because travel and tourism create connections between countries and improve them. That’s why I congratulate Delta Air Lines.”
The CEO of NetBag, Udi Bar Oz, congratulated Delta, and added: “The Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta is the busiest in the world, and is the father of many Israelis who pass through it for connecting flights. Passengers can continue on two hundred connecting flights throughout the United States.” in and beyond, including Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Therefore, it is requested to resume the direct flights there after a break of 12 years.”
The CEO of the Ministry of Tourism, Danny Shahar, said: “Delta Air Lines’ new Israel-Atlanta flight, which is being added today to Delta’s direct flights from New York and Boston, is an expression of confidence in the Israeli tourism product. Delta’s decision to add a direct flight from another destination in the US to Israel will allow additional opportunities for the growth of leisure flights and freedom between the two countries and will also open up the business ties between Israel and the US.” He surprised a bit when he took credit for himself and the Ministry of Tourism by saying: “This step He joins the list of achievements of the Ministry of Tourism. In January we saw a 17% increase compared to January 2019 which was the peak year in tourism. The Ministry of Tourism is working to offer various solutions to tourists, including this new line.”
After short congratulatory speeches, the film was cut, and light refreshments were served to the conference participants.
