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Philippine and Israeli officials are pushing to launch direct air links between Manila and Tel Aviv within the year
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Philippine Transportation chief Giovanni Lopez said the initiative is aligned with Marcos administration’s push to expand air connectivity
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Israel expects stronger tourism and business exchanges from direct flights
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Israeli airline El Al announced on February 9 that it plans to launch direct flights to Manila in 2027 along with other new routes
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), in coordination with the Israeli Embassy in Manila, is pushing to establish direct flights between Manila and Tel Aviv within the year as part of efforts to expand international air connectivity and strengthen economic ties between the the two countries.
Transportation secretary Giovanni Lopez said the DOTr is coordinating closely with Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh to open a direct air route linking the two countries.
“We can start working on the direct flight from Israel to the Philippines. Rest assured that I’m going to work closely with Ambassador Aileen (Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola) and the DFA and the other relevant government agencies,” Lopez said during a meeting with the Israeli delegation led by Kursh on February 9 as quoted in a news release.
Lopez said the DOTr will do everything possible to operationalize the flights at the soonest time. He added that the route supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to expand the country’s international air links and deepen cooperation with partner countries.
On the same day, Israeli airline El Al announced that it is expanding its network to nine new destinations, including Manila by 2027.
“(Details) on the sale to Manila to be announced later,” the listed airline company said on a post on its Facebook page.
Kursh, for her part, said the Israeli government is optimistic that direct flights will open this year, noting strong interest among Israeli travelers in visiting the Philippines’ major tourism destinations.
“So I do identify this opportunity of business as a big opportunity and sky is the limit. So let’s try to explore these opportunities both for Israelis and Filipinos,” the Israeli envoy said.
READ: PH, Israel outline areas of future economic cooperation
Mendiola said the direct air link could serve as a catalyst for broader economic engagement between the two countries.
“These are very important for us. My long-range goal is actually investments, two-way investments, two-way projects. This way, the flight is a conduit to all of those interactions that we will be having. And I’m really very excited to make this happen sooner than later,” the Philippine ambassador said.
Also present at the meeting were key DOTr officials, including undersecretary for aviation and airports Jim Sydiongco, undersecretary for planning and project development Teodorico Jose Delfin, Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Atty. Carmelo Arcilla, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines director general Raul Del Rosario, and CAAP deputy director general for administration Atty. Danjun Lucas.
