The Ukrainians are coming
Airline industry gearing up to mutual cancellation of visa requirements between Israel, Ukraine. Tourism Ministry: Passenger numbers likely to triple
The government's recent decision to approve moves to cancel visa requirements between Israel and Ukraine has spurred the airline industry serving the two states.
Currently, Israelis visiting Ukraine need to obtain a visa costing $100-120 via a process that can take several weeks. Ukrainians coming to Israel go through a similarly tiring, though cheaper, process – visas cost just $20.
Braslav Hassidic Jews at Urakine grave of Rabbi Nachman
(Photo: Israel Bardugo)
The airline industry is gearing up for the changes according to past experience, when visa requirements for Russians coming to Israel were cancelled in 2008, greatly increasing the number of Russians coming to Israel: An average of 80,000 per year before the change, and 420,000 in 2009.
The Ministry of Tourism has already noted the interest expressed by Ukrainian airlines, the national carrier Aerosvit and its smaller rival Donbassaero.
Israel's Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov (Yisrael Beitenu) estimated that the number of flights between the two states was likely to increase threefold, to 150-200,000 passengers per year.
"There are half a million Israelis with roots in Ukraine who still have relatives there, who will be able to visit more easily," he said.
Aerosvit's representative in Israel said the industry had been waiting for this change for many years, adding that many Christians in the Ukraine want to make a pilgrimage to the holy sites but are put off by the need for a visa. I
n addition, he said, many Israelis would like to visit the grave of Rabbi Nachman in the Ukrainian town of Uman.
