by Steven Scheer
JERUSALEM, September 28 (Reuters) – El Al Israel Airlines
ELAL.TA said Thursday it will add flights to New York in 2024 after the United States agreed to admit Israel into a program that will allow Israeli citizens visa-free entry.
Starting next June, Israel’s national carrier will add a daily flight to New York’s JFK Airport, bringing daily flights to JFK and Newark airports to six per day and 33 per week.
On Wednesday, the US government said Israel would be admitted to the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) starting November 30.
“This is a breakthrough and we are preparing to increase flight frequency in line with the expected increase in demand,” said Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia, the company’s chief executive, adding that New York was has long been the first destination for Israelis.
El Al said a survey it commissioned of Israeli adults planning to travel abroad found that only 30 percent hold a visa to enter the United States, while 40 percent hold a visa to enter the United States. of those considering flying to the United States said the need for a visa was one of the biggest obstacles to getting a flight to that country.
If Israelis could enter the United States without a visa, the willingness to fly there would increase by 20 percent, according to the poll. The poll also showed that 65% of respondents said New York was the most sought-after U.S. destination, followed by Los Angeles (13%).
In total, starting next June, El Al will operate 49 weekly flights to the United States, including non-stop flights from Tel Aviv to Los Angeles, Miami and Boston. It will also add a route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in April.
El Al also recently entered into a strategic cooperation with Delta DAL.N to expand connection options in the United States. The company said the collaboration would allow El Al to increase the availability of seats to U.S. destinations while expanding its route network.
2023-09-28 09:25:25
#increase #flights #York #Israel #joins #visa #waiver #program
