In this file photo dated to June 14, 2020, an Israeli worker in full hazmat suit sprays disinfectant on the boarding stairs of an Israir Airlines Airbus A320 airplane, at the Ben Gurion International Airport near the central Israeli city of Tel Aviv amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Israel's leading airline El Al on Feb 14, 2023 announced the resumption of commercial flights to Türkiye after a 16-year suspension. (PHOTO / AFP)
JERUSALEM – Israel's leading airline El Al on Tuesday announced the resumption of commercial flights to Türkiye after a 16-year suspension.
The flights, which will be operated by El Al's subsidiary Sun d'Or, are scheduled to resume on March 30 with four round-trip flights per week between Tel Aviv and Istanbul, according to a statement from El Al.
The first Israeli airline to resume commercial passenger flights to Türkiye is Israir, which is scheduled to operate a flight to Istanbul on Thursday
Israeli airlines halted flights to Türkiye in March 2007 due to high security expenses.
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So far, only Türkiye's flag carrier Turkish Airlines and major Pegasus Airlines fly on routes between the two countries.
The resumption was made possible due to warming bilateral relations, flights regulation, and growing demand from Israeli passengers, the statement said.
The first Israeli airline to resume commercial passenger flights to Türkiye is Israir, which is scheduled to operate a flight to Istanbul on Thursday.
The Israir flight will also carry Israeli humanitarian equipment to aid earthquake survivors.
Another Israeli airline, Arkia, will also operate flights to Türkiye, with a route to Istanbul starting on Feb 26.
"Against the backdrop of the severe earthquake disaster that struck Türkiye, the launch of the route strengthens the partnership and relationship between the two countries," said Turkish Ambassador to Israel Sakir Ozkan Torunlar at a resumption ceremony held in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
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Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz said the direct flights will increase economic cooperation and raise the number of tourists in both directions.