High occupancy on flights into Eilat from europe this winter

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin: "Thanks to the Tourism Ministry incentive to airline companies, about 4,000 tourists flew into Eilat in the last three weeks. This is a vote of confidence for tourism into Israel in general and Eilat in particular".

Jerusalem, November 8, 2015 - Tourism Minister Yariv Levin today (8.11.15) attended a festive ceremony in Eilat to mark the inaugural flights into Eilat of Europe's largest low-cost airline, Ryanair. The airline is operating 6 weekly flights into Ovdah airport from Kaunas, Budapest and Krakow.

The Tourism Minister toured tourism sites in the Red Sea resort, where the ministry has invested over 100 million shekel in tourism infrastructure in recent years, including, among others, the network of beach promenades, the recently-opened musical fountains, skatepark and others which are designed to offer tourists additional attractions.

The minister met with Eilat Mayor Meir Yitzhak Halevy and heard about the many cultural events planned for the winter season in Eilat to the benefit of tourists visiting from Europe. More than 20 weekly flights are expected to land in Eilat over the winter season, thanks to the Tourism Ministry subsidy of 45 Euros per passenger for airline companies flying into Eilat. As of today, there is over 80% occupancy on flights into Eilat this winter.

Other issues discussed included  municipality plans for the construction of an international congress and convention center adjacent to the casino, an international sports complex, a camping area, a golf course and thousands of additional hotel rooms.

The Mayor thanked the minister for his unconditional support for the resort and noted that the implementation of these plans is not a dream but a necessity that will allow the resort to realize its vast potential.

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said during the reception: "I congratulate Ryanair on their inaugural flight into Israel and I am pleased with the positive reactions of the tourists and with the excellent occupancy levels on these flights. This is a vote of confidence by Ryanair for tourism into Israel in general and Eilat in particular. I am sure that, as a result of support that we have initiated and the high level of interest this has generated amongst airline companies, Israel will become an excellent tourism destination from Europe."

"The activities of Ryanair in Israel were made possible thanks to financial support by the Tourism Ministry and support provided for marketing activities. The arrival of Ryanair in Israel proves to us all that it is possible to bring the largest airlines into Israel and, with them, many tourists. In addition to Ryanair, we expect other international carriers such as Monarch and Pegasus to begin flying into Eilat in the next few months."

Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, David O’Brien: "Ryanair is pleased to launch its first flights to/from Eilat Ovda, our first airport in Israel, with flights to/from Budapest, Kaunas and Krakow, which will deliver over 40,000 customers at Eilat Ovda, and marks Ryanair’s entry into an exciting new market."