An Israeli airline has launched a new regular service between Manchester and Tel Aviv.
Arkia started the weekly service on Mondays and Fridays on October 14 despite several UK-based airlines suspending their flights to the Israeli capital because of the conflict in the Middle East.
British Airways suspended its flights from Heathrow to Tel Aviv at the end of September but they are currently due to resume next month. EasyJet has halted its flights to Tel Aviv from Gatwick and Luton airports.
Head of communications and government relations at Arkia, Liat Bell Sommer, said: “Since October 7th, we have seen that the Jewish community around the world is eager to visit Israel and support the communities that were severely affected by the war.
“Now, thanks to Arkia’s direct flights, they can visit Israel much more easily.”
Speaking to Jewish Life Magazine, Sommer also said Israeli football fans would be keen to make the trip to Manchester.
Each home game at Old Trafford and the Etihad stadium plays host to countless Manchester United and Manchester City fans from abroad.
An economy seat return flight to Israel on the airline’s A321 aircraft start from around £350.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Tel Aviv due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
A Manchester Airport spokesman declined to comment.
Sources at the airport said arrangements for Arkia to begin the flights were made through the Civil Aviation Authority.
Yesterday the proscribed terrorist group Hezbollah fired rockets towards Tel Aviv in response to an Israeli airstrike that killed more than 20 people in a Christian town in northern Lebanon.
Feature image credit: Ronen Fefer (CC BY-SA 2.0)
