After months of preparations and after the warming of relations between the two countries (which came after about 15 years of almost freezing relations), the Israeli airlines received the long-awaited approval - and will start operating direct flights from Israel to Turkey.
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The first airline to announce that it will start flying on the Tel Aviv-Istanbul route is Arkia, which will initially operate four weekly flights, and will later switch to a daily flight.
Starting in March, Arkia will also start operating direct flights to Antalya.
At this time, the starting price of the flight is 120 dollars one way.
Arkie will offer vacation packages that include a flight and three nights in a 4-star hotel for $325 per person in a double room.
Will you order tickets?
Istanbul (archive), photo: public relations
As a reminder, last week it was published in "Israel Hayom" that at El Al they have already started meeting with security guards who will work in Turkey, since the company is also responsible for the security of Israir and Arkia flights.
Bisherair has not yet announced when they will start operating the direct flights to Istanbul, but it is estimated that this will happen in the near future.
Bel Al, apparently, will not operate direct flights to Turkey at this stage, but the company does not rule out the possibility that this will happen in the future.
Istanbul is considered one of the most favorite destinations for the Israeli tourist, and since the warming of relations with Turkey, the city has become the leader of the flight chart from Israel.
Istanbul is considered an attractive destination in all seasons, and already many tourists from Israel visit it.
Since Istanbul is considered a cheap and attractive destination, many Israelis come there for shopping, since the prices of clothing there are in many cases tens of percent cheaper than here in Israel.
Cheaper than in Israel.
Istanbul (archive), photo: Getty Images
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