The ban on the sale of airline tickets to Israelis is expected to end as early as next week. • Travel agencies report: "Sharp increase in bookings"
Israelis are expected to return to Ben Gurion Airport
Photography:
Yossi Zeliger
After a struggle that lasted quite a few days and included the intervention of senior health officials, ministers and Knesset members, today it will be decided to approve the sale of airline tickets as early as next week.
The discussion that will take place today in the cabinet is expected to include quite a few issues, including the sale of airline tickets to Israel, which has not been possible since the closure began, shortening the isolation days for returnees from red countries, pre-arranged foreign tourists and checks for returnees from abroad.
During the closure there were quite a few Israelis who booked flights to Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia, the vast majority managed to board the flights booked and only a few were arrested and not allowed to exercise the flight tickets they booked.
Airlines and tourism have sharply criticized the decision recently, but in talks with industry executives they understand that the law is set to change today and take effect next week.
Those who worked to change the law are the Minister of Internal Security, Amir Ohana, who, as first published in Israel today, asked the Prime Minister to examine the issue last Saturday evening.
In addition, MKs Sharan Hashakel and Alex Kushnir forwarded a request to Transport Minister Miri Regev.
Senior health officials Professor Itamar Grotto, Professor Roni Gamzo and Dr. Elrai-Price spoke on the subject and clarified that flights to green countries do not help eradicate the spread of the epidemic and that it is a decision that does not stem from epidemiological motives.
The airlines that will operate direct flights to Greece as early as next week are Israir, Blue Bird, El Al, Arkia, Ajian and Rainier.
Bulgaria and Serbia are also waiting for the Israeli tourist and it will also be possible to fly there without the need for isolation back to Israel.
It is estimated that the lower the morbidity rate in Israel, the more green countries will open their doors to the Israeli tourist.
Ilan Shalev, Director of Marketing and Sales at the Vacation Lines Group, commented on the ban on ticket sales and the expected change in the law today. Vacation, 90 minutes, Blick and the international booking site Blue Bird. These are hundreds of visits to each booking site in a short time. "Zoom has no impediment yet to continue flying for family vacations to Greece and the islands. The weather in October still allows for all recreational activities including pool and sea. Only this week Greece has again increased the quotas for Israelis entering the destination so there is no quantitative restriction on Israelis entering."
