Italy Becomes Top Destination From Tel Aviv With Expanded Direct Flights
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Italy has become a top destination for Israeli travelers, with airlines like Bluebird, Wizz Air, El Al, Israir, and Arkia significantly expanding direct flight options to 11 cities. This expansion is driven by strong passenger demand, making Italy the third most popular destination from Ben Gurion Airport in July.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Italy is now a leading destination for Israeli travelers with 11 direct flight options.
- Airlines are expanding routes and frequencies to Italian cities like Rome and Milan.
- Italy ranked as the third most popular destination from Ben Gurion Airport in July.
- Average round-trip flights to Italy cost around $350, with significant price variations by airline.
- Experts advise comparing prices across airlines and dates for potential savings.
Italy has emerged as a prime destination for Israeli travelers, with airlines significantly expanding direct flight options from Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to 11 Italian cities. Bluebird Airways recently launched a new route to Bologna, operating three times weekly, with fares starting at approximately 128 euros one-way. The airline aims to provide Israelis with a convenient way to reach a popular region in northern Italy.
In parallel, Greek airline Bluebird, which is Israeli-owned, will add direct flights to Rome and Naples starting September 17th, supplementing existing routes to Bologna, Bergamo, and Milan. Wizz Air is also increasing its presence in Italy, resuming flights to Catania (four weekly) and Venice (three weekly), while boosting frequencies to Rome and Milan (14 weekly) and Naples (up to seven weekly).
These expanded offerings mean Israeli tourists now have access to over 10 Italian destinations operated by carriers including El Al, Israir, and Arkia. During the upcoming holiday and autumn season, at least 11 cities will be accessible, including Rome, Milan, Bergamo, Venice, Verona, Bologna, Naples, Bari, Catania, Palermo, and Cagliari. This surge in flights reflects Italy's growing popularity, having become the third most sought-after destination for Israelis in July, following Cyprus and Greece.
Data from the Airports Authority shows that approximately 180,000 passengers flew to Italy in July, accounting for 7.8% of all traffic at Ben Gurion Airport, an increase from 5.84% in the same period last year. From January to July, around 640,000 Israelis traveled to Italy, representing 7.5% of total airport traffic. Rome and Milan are leading booking and search trends, followed by Catania, Verona, and Naples.
Average round-trip flight prices to Italy start around $350, with prices peaking in early October and gradually decreasing. Significant price variations exist between airlines for the same routes. For instance, round-trip flights to Rome can range from approximately $150 with Wizz Air to over $425 with El Al. These differences are attributed to factors such as demand, flexibility in cancellations and changes, and included amenities like carry-on luggage. Experts advise comparing prices across different airlines and travel dates to secure the best deals, noting that flexible travelers can save considerably.
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