Air Berlin Widens Its Services to Israel

Air Berlin, the second largest airline in Germany and fifth largest in Europe, has considerably increased its flights to Israel. In March a third non-stop flight was added to the existing two direct connections between Berlin and Tel Aviv. Since March Air Berlin passengers from Cologne and Munich also have a choice of two non-stop flights a week to Tel Aviv. Two further flights a week from Düsseldorf to Tel Aviv will be included in the schedule from June 2010. There are connecting flights from various German cities.

Air Berlin is now also offering Business Class seats on the flights from Berlin, Düsseldorf and Munich to Tel Aviv. The Business Class service on these routes includes an even greater selection of kosher meals, free seat reservation, 30 kilos free baggage allowance, access to the exclusive airport lounges, enhanced inflight entertainment and a wide selection of German and English newspapers.

With fares starting at 99 euros, Air Berlin has attractive products for independent and business travellers. In fact, with four non-stop services from German cities to Tel Aviv, Air Berlin offers more connections than any other airline in this bilateral aviation market.

Furthermore, Air Berlin’s network allows passengers to reach Tel Aviv from many international destinations in Europe and the USA (from 319 euros), in Russia (Moscow from 148 euros) and Thailand. The hubs in Düsseldorf and Berlin in particular provide convenient transfers for passengers to Israel.

At the press conference in Tel Aviv, Christoph Debus, Chief Commercial Officer Air Berlin PLC, remarked: "We are pleased that we now have the opportunity to enrich air travel between Israel and Germany by operating new services. We hope that our commitment will help to develop the friendly relations between the two countries even further and enhance further contacts between Israelis and Germans."

"The decision to operate a route between Germany and Israel taken by Air Berlin, Germany’s second largest airline and the fifth largest in Europe is of the greatest importance in realizing the tourism potential from Germany to Israel. This decision represents an expression of confidence in the Israeli tourism industry and is in line with the Tourism Ministry’s policy of open skies and removing obstacles from the path of incoming tourism to Israel. The new route will bring an increase in airline and seat capacity, encourage competition and bring lower prices that will ensure compliance with the ministry’s objectives of an additional million tourists within three years", said Stas Misezhnikov, Tourism Minister of Israel.

"The new Air Berlin service is a good example of the successful history of air transport relations between Germany and Israel. At the beginning of last year, the aeronautical authorities of both countries agreed on a new framework allowing an increase in the number of services operated between both countries. The new air link is an important part of the actual utilization of this new framework. We wish the airline every success as it endeavours to bring Germany and Israel closer together", said PStS Jan Mücke MP.