Israeli airline Arkia to launch direct flight operations to Goa and Kochi from Tel Aviv starting 28th September 2019

Israeli airline Arkia will introduce two new routes to India starting from 28^th September 2019 using recently acquired Airbus A321LR. The carrier confirmed to begin nonstop flight operations from Tel Aviv to Goa and Kochi with 220 seats and a full flight service on board. With one-way duration of seven hours, Arkia will fly once a week to Goa on Tuesdays and twice a week to Kochi on Mondays and Fridays. From 27^th October 2019, the flight to the latter city will move to Sundays and Thursdays. The air travel will run all year round except during the monsoon season in India. This announcement has come at a time when Israel Ministry of Tourism has recorded a 21 percent growth with 70,800 Indian tourist arrivals to Israel in 2018 vis-à-vis 58,700 travellers in 2017 leading India to the 12^th position as the source market for the destination. Speaking about the new development, Hassan Madah, Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism – India & Philippines said, “In light of the significant increase in incoming tourism from India over the past few years, the Ministry of Tourism has been encouraging of Israeli airlines like Arkia to foray into the Indian market. We see India becoming one of the key source markets for Israel in the coming years and with Arkia’s direct flights to Goa and Kochi, the Indian traveller’s interest will surely increase. Goa attracts many Israeli tourists who visit the Indian state for leisure holidays, while Israel has recorded a notable mix of pilgrimage and leisure travellers from Kochi. With nonstop operations from the West, North and now South of India; this will help meet the growing demand and enable us to achieve higher Indian arrivals to Israel in 2019.” With bookings to commence from 24^th March 2019, a one-way ticket price will start at $250 from Kochi and $300 from Goa with priority seating at an additional $35.