Arkia plane. Joining Russian airline
Arkia to operate Eilat-St. Petersburg route
Transportation minister approves Israeli airline's request in bid to boost Russian tourism to southern resort city
Arkia Airlines will operate flights on the Eilat-St. Petersburg route, after Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz last week approved the company's request to offer the new service.
Katz signed the agreement following a deal between Israel and Russia allowing airlines of both countries to operate direct flights between Eilat and St. Petersburg.
Upon signing the agreement, Arkia will join Russian airline Russia, which was the only one to offer the service until now.
The transportation minister noted that naming Arkia as a regular carrier in the Eilat-St. Petersburg route would make it possible to increase the number of Russian tourists visiting the southern Israeli resort city, which has become a desired destination for Russian tourism.
Arkia CEO Gadi Tepper said, "We would like to thank Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz for making a quick decision on the Eilat-St. Petersburg route. Arkia plans to start operating the line after receiving all required permits from the Israeli and Russian aviation authorities."
Arkia did not provide details on the price of a plane ticket in the new service. The El-Al airline, which operated flights on the Tel Aviv-St. Petersburg, route did not comment on the report.
