Israel's CAL Cargo Airlines is moving ahead with its plans to become Israel's fourth passenger airline, as first revealed by "Globes" earlier this week.
Sources inform "Globes" that all CAL's marketing will be conducted by Classic Air, an Israeli charter company and tourist wholesaler, which has been operating since 2000. A Boeing 737 formerly used Classic Air has been leased to CAL and the company has also hired eight Israeli pilots, probably following recent layoffs by Arkia Airlines Ltd..
Subject to receiving the green light to operate passenger services from the Israel Civil Aviation Authority, CAL hopes to operate flights from the summer of 2020. Routes will be to destinations that are popular with Israelis in the Mediterranean and Europe and new destinations that are likely to interest Israeli passengers. Together with Classic, CAL will also offer vacation packages including accommodation.
CAL, which has a fleet of three Boeing cargo planes, was founded in 1976 by Israeli agricultural produce companies as a rival to El Al in the air cargo market. In 2010 the company was acquired by Yarom Oren and Offer Gilboa's Kanfei Hagai. The company flies to a range of destinations including Liege in Belgium where it owns LACHS - Liege Air Handling Cargo Services, which allows it to fly goods onto other destinations in Europe. CAL also operates cargo flights from Tel Aviv to Oslo, Larnaca, New York, Atlanta, and Mexico City.
CAL also has a subsidiary in Malta for leasing operations. The airline has three Boeing 747-400's which are used to fly agricultural produce, vehicles, animals, medical equipment and a range of other products.
Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on January 7, 2020
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