With the new diplomatic ties between Israel and India, Air India has introduced a direct flight from New Delhi to Tel Aviv three times a week with 50 percent seals in the inaugurating flight already booked. The flight will be operating every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The inaugural flight will leave at 6:10 PM and the scheduled departure will be at 4:50 PM from 25th March when the summer schedule will come into operation. So far, the response has been great with the inaugural flight selling off 50 percent of its seats. The returning flight has got a much better response with 80 percent of the flights already booked.
The carrier will operate the 256-eater Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the route. Saudi Arabia has also allowed the airline to use its airspace by allowing it to take a shorter route which can cover the entire distance in 7.25 hours as compared to the other airline which flies between the two countries i.e. El Al which is the national carrier of Israel. other Arab, as well as Islamic nations, do not know Israel which is why they do not allow airlines to use their airspace for flight services to the country.
The chairman and Managing Director of Air India, Mr. Pradeep Kharola told PTI that the airline will catch travelers moving from countries further to the east of India such as Australia. The Air India flight will also fly over Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Oman. The permission of flying over Saudi Arabia saved almost 2 hours and 10 minutes of Air India as compared to the longer route of the national carrier of Israel El Al which has direct flights between Tel Aviv and Mumbai. Air India is also offering introductory return fares which will be starting from Rs. 35,500.