Delta to fly Atlanta-Tel Aviv direct
New service makes Atlanta second U.S. city with regular nonstop service to Israel. jewish, Christian, business groups worked together to push for flights
"As part of our stepped-up transformation plan, Delta is expanding to the world's high-potential business
and leisure destinations where our customers want to travel," said Delta's CEO Gerald Grinstein. "This new service makes Atlanta only the second U.S. city with nonstop service to Israel and bolsters Hartsfield-Jackson's status as the preeminent gateway to America for global travelers. We expect Delta's presence in the U.S.-Tel Aviv market to enhance economic growth and tourism opportunities for
both the U.S. and Israel."
The American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Region has been pushing for non-stop flights from Atlanta to Israel since 1993. It has been a top priority of the organization almost since its founding a year earlier.
AICC built a grassroots coalition to present the benefits of the concept in the U.S. and Israel to business and community leaders including Jewish and Christian groups. Atlanta business leader A.J. Robinson (Central Atlanta Progress) spearheaded this effort for AICC, which has partnered with Hartsfield-Jackson
Atlanta International Airport, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and other groups, recognizing the positive economic impact it will have on the region, chamber officials said in a statement.
New Southern business?
"For more than a decade, both U.S. and Israeli companies have told us that non-stop flights from Atlanta to Israel would positively affect their decisions to base U.S. operations in Atlanta and the Southeast," said AICC President Tom Glaser. "Delta's new non-stop flights from Atlanta to Tel Aviv will translate directly into new business for the Southeast."
The new service will be a central message of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue during a technology and
trade mission to Israel he is leading in November, sponsored by the American-Israel Chamber of
Commerce and Georgia Department of Economic Development. The mission is expected to generate new
business opportunities for Atlanta and the Southeast while helping promote Delta's new service to Israeli business leaders.
The Israel Tourism Ministry also worked behind the scenes to lend support to this new service as a new
way to welcome U.S. travelers to Israel.
More capacity
"These flights will provide a much needed addition to the available capacity of seats for visitors from North and South America wishing to fulfill their dream to visit Israel. The demand for travel to Israel continues to increase, and we foresee 2006 as a record year," said Tourism Minister Avraham Hirchson. Israel recorded a 36 percent growth in tourism in 2004 and 2005.
According to Delta, it plans to use Boeing 777 widebody aircraft on its new flight between Atlanta and Tel Aviv. Additionally, the new flights are expected to bring multiple opportunities for freight forwarders and
cargo shippers, and customers will have access to the world's most extensive connecting flight schedules, thanks to Atlanta's status as the world's largest single-airline hub.
Schedule for Delta's new daily non-stop service between Atlanta and Tel Aviv beginning March 27, 2006 (subject to final Israeli government approval):
- Departs Atlanta at 10:45 p.m. Arrives Tel Aviv at 5:25 p.m. (following day)
- Departs Tel Aviv at 11:45 p.m. Arrives Atlanta at 6 a.m. (following day)
