Most popular destination for flights in 2015
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Amsterdam becomes most popular destination among Israelis
Figures compiled by Travelist website reveal most popular flight destinations and vacation sites among Israeli tourists in 2015.
The year 2015 recorded a 13% rise from the previous year in the number of Israelis travelling abroad.
The expected popular destinations for 2016 include Barcelona, New York, Amsterdam and Berlin.
According to figures compiled by the Travelist price comparison website, easyJet's introduction of the Tel Aviv-Amsterdam route and its competition against Transavia placed the Dutch capital at the top of the list of the most popular destinations in demands for flights among Israeli tourists.
Amsterdam, Holland
A breakdown of Israelis' vacation destinations reveals that the Greek island of Rhodes has maintained its spot as the most popular vacation site with 17 percent of demands, as in 2014. It is followed by the island of Crete with 16 percent of demands. The Turkish resort city of Antalya recorded only 7 percent of vacation demands.
Growing Competition
Amit Cotler
The British airline, which recently resumed its activity in Israel after a 10-year absence, will introduce the new route in April 2016.
One of the reasons for the growth in Israelis' trips abroad, and mainly to Europe, is the Open Skies agreement which was signed in 2013. According to European Union's Ambassador to Israel Lars Faaborg-Andersen, the Open Skies agreement between Israel and the EU has been successful for all sides, contributing to the increase in the aviation activity between Israel and Europe. He spoke during a meeting of the EU-Israel joint committee held by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The average number of weekly flights between Israel and Europe rose from 497 a week in 2013 to 593 in 2015. The number of flights by low-cost airlines more than doubled - from an average of 51 weekly flights in 2013 to 113 weekly flights in 2015.
