New air service agreement signed with Russia

The new agreement enables two national flag carriers from each country to fly along the route. CAL will operate a weekly flight to and from Moscow
 
Shaul Mofaz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Road Safety of Israel. said last week that Israel and Russia had signed, at the end of a week long negotiations, a new aviation accord, opening the skies to further competition.
 
Ministry of Transport spokesman said before the bilateral talks commenced that the goal of the bilateral aviation talks, which were held between 20 – 21 of August was to allow more airlines to fly on the main Tel Aviv-Moscow route, such that two companies from each country would operate the route, thereby increasing competition and lowering fairs.
 
The new agreement enables two national flag carriers from each country to fly along the route. CAL (Cargo Airlines) was therefore awarded the cargo route and will operate a weekly flight to and from Moscow.
 
Both sides agreed to increase the number of weekly scheduled flights between Tel Aviv and Moscow from 14 to 21 and at the same time increase the number of weekly charter flights to Moscow from 3 to 5.
 
The parties have also agreed to increase the number of scheduled and charter flights between Tel Aviv and St. Petersburg to 2 scheduled flights and one charter flight during the winter and 5 schedule flights plus 2 charter flight during the summer.
 
Russia has also given flight rights to an additional Israeli company to use the Trans Siberian route for flights destined to the Far East.
 
Mr. Gideon Siterman, Director General, Ministry of Transport & Road Safety said following the signature of the bilateral agreement that it was an additional stage in Israel's open sky policy which will increase competition for the benefit of Israeli and foreign passengers.