Etihad Airways launches flights to Tel Aviv

Etihad Airways has launched scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv.

Israel has also been added to Abu Dhabi’s ‘green list’, giving quarantine-free travel for visitors arriving in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad will initially offer two flights per week between the two cities operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft configured in two classes, with 28 Business Class seats and 262 Economy Class seats.

The Dreamliner features Etihad’s e-box entertainment system and inflight wi-fly connectivity network.

Etihad Aviation Group, Group Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas said, “Last year, we witnessed the UAE and Israel make history when signing the Abraham Accords, and we are tremendously excited about the opportunities this poses to Etihad, and our home Abu Dhabi.”

There is significant travel demand anticipated between Israel and the UAE and beyond, for both business and leisure travel purposes. This is bolstered by the fact that Israel and the UAE boast two of the highest vaccination rates in the world, giving potential for a vaccine corridor to further ease travel between the two destinations.

Etihad and the national carrier of Israel, EL AL, are continuing preparations for wide-ranging cooperation on the route, and beyond. The two airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding in November 2020 covering codeshare on each other’s operations, a frequent flyer tie-up and cooperation in cargo, training and maintenance services.