Low-cost U.K.based Monarch Airlines announced its resuming London-Tel Aviv flights starting December 3rd.
For many years, Monarch operated charter services to Israel but this will be the company’s first scheduled service to the country.
The British budget airline will operate its new routes from London Luton Airport, three times a week to Ben Gurion international airport, a gateway to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays, all year-round. And once a week flight on Thursdays to Ovda, a gateway to Eilat, over the winter months.
Israel's Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said, "I am delighted that Monarch Airlines is launching new scheduled services to Israel this December. This is a great indication that Israel has the support of major carriers, such as Monarch, and will allow for even greater choice and accessibility for international travelers. By signing the Open Skies Agreement in 2013, we paved the way to form this partnership with Monarch."
Andrew Swaffield, Chief Executive Officer of The Monarch Group commented: “These two new scheduled routes are the result of the ongoing work we are doing to develop our winter programme which showcases a number of winter sun and ski destinations. Tel Aviv and Ovda are growing in popularity once more with tourists and with the diverse offerings of both these destinations we are sure they will be a very popular choice for winter short breaks and holidays. We are also looking forward to welcoming visitors from Israel to the UK.”
Monarch Airlines is a leading leisure airline, operating scheduled flights from 5 UK bases to leisure destinations around the Mediterranean, the Alps, the Canaries and the Middle East. The airline operates a fleet of 34 primarily of Airbus A320 family aircraft providing annual capacity in excess of 6 million sector seats.
