Israel to gain low fare Thomson flights

Thomsonfly claims it will become the first low-fares airline to fly to Israel with the start of services this winter.

The airline’s fares start at £139.98 return to Tel Aviv. Flights will run from Luton and Manchester three times a week from November 1.

Kosher meals will be served on board, which must be pre-booked.

Passengers booking Thomsonfly flights to Tel Aviv are entitled to one day’s free car hire in Israel with Budget Car Rental, which will also waive charges for one-way drop-offs. The offer runs until April 2008.

Sample prices of hotels available through Thomsonfly, based on two sharing a standard twin room on a room only basis are – 3* from £52 per room per night (Hotel Deborah), 4* from £66 per room per night (City Hotel) and 5* from £95 per room per night (Dan Panorama).

Thomsonfly commercial director Guy Stephenson said: “Our decision to launch into Tel Aviv will satisfy the huge demand for direct flights to this exciting Israeli city. 

“The Israeli economy is strong and visitor numbers from the UK are up this year, which is a positive backdrop to the launch of new services. 

“With around two million visitors to our websites each week, both Thomson and Thomsonfly have a unique ability to stimulate tourism from the UK to Israel, and we anticipate tremendous diversity in the reasons for both outbound and inbound travel.

“Tel Aviv has a growing reputation as a stylish and lively choice for city breaks, but also as an important destination for cultural exchanges between schools and religious groups, religious and history-based leisure breaks, visiting friends and relatives and as a place for doing business. ”  

Uzi Gafni, director of the Israel Tourist Board, said: “The new Luton and Manchester routes into Tel Aviv give British travellers even greater access to what is arguably one of the most vivacious and cosmopolitan cities in the world.

“We have seen a three per cent increase in UK visitors in the first quarter of this year over last year and we are delighted that Thomsonfly’s arrival into Tel Aviv will help cater for this demand.

Meanwhile, El Al has announced an increase in capacity for this coming winter.

The carrier is adding 1,000 seats per week, by operating a ‘Jumbo’ Boeing 747-400 on five out of the 12 weekly flights into Tel Aviv.

Tim Gallagher, sales & marketing manager, said: “We welcome the support of Thomsonfly in adding its name to the ongoing campaign to put Israel, including Tel Aviv city breaks, and beach holidays to Eilat and the Red Sea, back on the travel and tourism map.”

by Phil Davies