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30,000 tourists celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem |
| By: Associated Press |
| Published: January 17, 2006 |
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Israir, an Israeli charter airline, is receiving rights to operate regular flights to New York and back, the Tourism Ministry announced Monday.
The New York route is one of the most profitable in the local market. Tourism Minster Avraham Hirchson said the Israir license would be good for two years, during which time the need for a second carrier on the route would be evaluated.
Up to now only El Al Israel Airlines has had the license for regular flights, and the airline objected. El Al said the decision "constitutes a blatant violation of the government's commitment toward the company and sends a negative message," the Haaretz daily reported.
Allowing Israir to operate regular passenger flights will offer competition in ticket prices and increase tourism to Israel, said Ido Hartuv, spokesman for the Ministry of Tourism.
"This is a very strong statement of the Israeli economy and the aviation market," Hartuv said.
Israir and other companies have been operating charter flights to New York, and an Israir plane was involved in a near-crash at Kennedy Airport on July 6.
A passenger Boeing 767 operated by Israir missed a turn onto a taxiway and continued on a runway, apparently coming within 30 meters (100 feet) of a DC-8 cargo jet that was taking off, according to initial reports. An investigation was launched, but no results have been made public. |
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