The flights were mainly for visits to the Holy Land by Canadian pilgrims, who have stopped arriving due to the security situation. Yesterday El Al cancelled direct flights to Chicago.
”Globes” has learned that further financial difficulties have emerged in El Al’s North American activity, due to the security situation and the company will halt a third of its direct Israel-Canada flights. This follows a drop in the number of tourists arriving in Israel from North America, parallel to the decision to cancel direct flights to Chicago.
The changes in El Al flights to Canada include the cancellation of one of three direct flights to Toronto, the company’s sole Canadian destination, after it canceled flights to Montreal last year. Instead of flying directly to Toronto on Tuesdays, passengers will be able to reach the destination via New York.
According to El Al sales and revenue management division head Moshe Shamai, cancellation of the direct flight stems from the fact that it mainly served Canadian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 30 October, 2000