TOURISM

El Al CEO Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia: We quickly adapted ourselves to emergency mode and made sure to maintain a stable and active flight schedule while taking care of passengers' safety and security.

The Israeli government is paying Fattal NIS 410 per night per adult and NIS 205 per night per child to host evacuees.

An average of 100 flights are landing daily at Ben Gurion airport during the war compared with the usual 500 flights.

Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Harry Sommer: I think it will take time before people feel safe about returning to Israel.

Eligible Israelis can now apply online for authorization to travel to the US through ESTA, one month earlier than planned.

The airline has joined a string of Israeli tourism and aviation companies warning of a downturn.

Israel's three airlines El Al, Israir and Arkia are operating extra flights to pick up the slack.

Over the past day Turkish Airlines has become the latest carrier to suspend flights to Israel until further notice.

Despite adding flights, Israeli airlines cannot cope with the huge number of Israelis trying to return home, although some foreign carriers are still flying to Ben Gurion airport.

Foreign carriers are canceling flights due to insurance coverage problems while Israeli carriers have added flights to bring Israelis home.

Gil Bringer, who oversaw the process of Israel's acceptance, stresses the advantages, but warns the US will monitor how many Israelis overstay their 90-day visa.

The US visa waiver program is only applicable to holders of biometric passports, which many Israelis have not yet obtained.

Midroog has affirmed Israel Airports Authority's Aaa rating after its operating profit more than quadrupled in the first half of this year.

Israelis join the citizens of 40 other countries who are not required to obtain a visa to enter US.

In 2024, as part of the expansion project, commercial space will be increased and adapted to passengers' demands, with stress on price controls.

While most top European destinations are enjoying more tourists than in 2019, Israel is struggling to bridge the gap.

Among the investors in Selina Hospitality, which has lost 99% of its value since it was floated, are Sir Ronald Cohen, Len Blavatnik, Gigi Levy, and Adam Neumann of WeWork fame.

Technoplus Ventures has notified the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange that negotiations with Arkia have ceased.

Operating profit in the second quarter of 2023 was $90 million, ten times the operating profit of $9.4 million in the corresponding quarter of 2022.

The overcrowding will only escalate as Israel desperately needs a second major airport as the government procrastinates.

2.11 million foreign visitors entered Israel in the first six months of 2023, compared with the record 2.42 million visitors in 2019, before the pandemic.

The company also reported that Global University Systems (GUS) is investing up to $50 million in Selina.

The new route is enjoying high demand from Israeli tourists wanting to visit Iceland, and for connection flights between Tel Aviv and North America.

The acquisition of Smartwings and its fleet of over 40 aircraft would make Israir Israel's biggest airline, leapfrogging El Al.

Minister of the Interior Moshe Arbel has succeeded where others failed in solving the passport applications backlog, but the true test is yet to come.

1.76 million foreign visitors entered Israel in the first five months of 2023, the Central Bureau of Statistics reports, compared with the record 2.03 million visitors in the corresponding period of 2019, before the pandemic.

The Israeli airline said it plans to expand its fleet from 45 aircraft to 60 by 2028 and is in talks to add new routes to Australia, the Philippines and US cities.

At present the taxi situation at Ben Gurion airport is very problematic with a lack of taxis available at peak times and drivers ripping off tourists by charging exorbitant fares.

No financial details about the deal were disclosed but market sources believe that AMI, which has invested about $85 million, has made a handsome profit on the sale.

Yoad Seroussi has invested NIS 20 million in restoring and adapting the building constructed by Baron Edmond de Rothschild.