DOTr working on PH-Israel direct flights

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is working to launch direct flights between the Philippines and Israel, acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Lopez said the DOTr is already coordinating with Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh for the launching of the direct route between Manila and Tel Aviv.

Lopez affirmed that the agency is committed to establishing the direct Manila-Tel Aviv route within the year.

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“We can start working on the direct flight from Israel to the Philippines. Rest assured that I’m going to work closely with Ambassador Aileen (Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola) and the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and the other relevant government agencies,” Lopez said in a meeting with the Israeli delegation led by Ambassador Kursh, as quoted in the DOTr’s statement. 

Meanwhile, Kursh said that the Israeli government is optimistic about the direct flights this year, emphasizing that its citizens are expressing their interest to visit the top tourism destinations in the Philippines.

“So I do identify this opportunity of business as a big opportunity, and sky is the limit. So let’s try to explore these opportunities for both Israelis and Filipinos,” said Kursh. 

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Mendiola said direct flights between the Philippines and Israel could open up new economic opportunities for both nations.

“These are very important for us. My long-range goal is actually investments, two-way investments, two-way projects. This way, the flight is a conduit to all of those interactions that we will be having. And I’m really very excited to make this happen sooner than later,” Mendiola said.

In 2022, Philippine Airlines had planned to launch direct flights to Tel Aviv, but it was postponed due to geopolitical issues. /gsg