Arkia Launches Direct Flights to the Philippines

Arkia, Israel's third-largest airline, will commence direct flights to the Philippines on January 3rd, becoming the first Israeli airline to offer such service. The flight duration will be approximately 11.5 hours going to the Philippines and 12.5 hours returning. The airline will operate a weekly flight using an Airbus A330, with economy class tickets priced at $750 one-way and business class at $1,800 one-way.

Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz stated that securing a slot at Manila's main international airport was challenging but was facilitated by the Philippine ambassador, Eilene Antoinette Guzman. Without this assistance, the airline would have had to land at an airport 100 kilometers from the city. Arkia flew to 40 destinations last year, having recently launched routes to Hanoi, Vietnam, and planning to fly to Tokyo, Japan, starting in October. The company also operates flights to Thailand and New York, with Berlowitz welcoming the addition of Israir on the New York route, emphasizing that increased flights benefit overall travel.

The launch event was held at Tel Aviv restaurant Pop & Pope, with attendees including the Philippine ambassador, Arkia owner Avi Nakash, and spokesperson Lihy Taldano. Berlowitz promised a "culinary revolution" in the onboard dining, with chef Shahaf Shabtai overseeing the menu, aiming to make the flight experience appealing for its food.

In other news, the tourism company "Cruise Tour" is introducing shorter river cruises, ranging from 4 to 6 days, to cater to travelers seeking brief trips. This new format will include musical and stand-up comedy performances. The company anticipates this will increase its activity by approximately 15% in the coming year and an additional 10% the year after.

Additionally, Yiftah Klinman has been appointed CEO of Duke Robotics, a Nasdaq-listed developer of robotic systems and drones. Michal Mitlanski is the new VP of Trust & Safety at Yad2, focusing on user protection and fraud prevention. Architect Adi Ephraim has been selected as the district planner for Tel Aviv in the Planning Administration.