Mofaz pledges supports for open skies policy

Minister of Transport Shaul Mofaz announced his commitment to support open skies policy which will bring many tourists to Israel and lower air fares for Israeli traveling community
 
In a statement issued by the Ministry said that Mofaz made plans to meet the three Israeli airlines El Al Israel Airlines, Israir Airlines and Turism Ltd and Arkia Airlines Ltd to advise them about the new policy issue.
 
The announcement is regarded as a dramatic change in the Ministry's policy which for many years maintained a hard line towards foreign airlines, and restricted the number of flights to Israel, partly in order to protect El Al.
 
A spokesman for the Ministry added that the first signs of policy change, was made by former Minister of Tourism Avraham Hirchson (now Finance Minister) who strongly supported liberalization when he granted Israir Airlines a scheduled carrier status on the Tel Aviv-New York route.
 
The grant was strongly opposed then by the Ministry of Transport who refused to allow Israir operate schedule service to New York.
 
It is expected, however, that the three Israeli airlines will oppose the open sky policy.