Ex-TLV Routes and Flights Discussions

[Proisrael]

Lufthansa now flies from Frankfurt and Munich to Eilat (Ovda)
But it is not showing up on united's website
https://newsroom.lufthansagroup.com/english/newsroom/news-releases/let-s-get-going--lufthansa-offers-six-new-tourist-destinations-departing-from-frankfurt-and-munich-t/s/b0ac8107-8b1f-40a2-9570-062b4f26935a

Had the same issue with United, seems they do not recognize the airport code. I found availability with AC. There was a top of seats available for miles.

[shimino1]

Why not?
Having flights fly there from outside Israel is not fun... having to decide if I want to save a $100 by flying to TLV or Ramon is not fun but a quick flight from SDV or TLV to ETH, what can be so bad?

You mentioned VDA.
ETH and VDA are worlds apart. Kind of like comparing Disneyland to the Ramat Eshkol park.
ETH is smack in the center of Eilat and is walking distance to most of the hotels and tourist attractions.
VDA is smack in the center of no where and is barely walking distance to the bus stop where you get dropped off. (Think a 10 minute walk in the desert with all your luggage).

[ExGingi]

You mentioned VDA.
ETH and VDA are worlds apart. Kind of like comparing Disneyland to the Ramat Eshkol park.
ETH is smack in the center of Eilat and is walking distance to most of the hotels and tourist attractions.
VDA is smack in the center of no where and is barely walking distance to the bus stop where you get dropped off. (Think a 10 minute walk in the desert with all your luggage).

And for the domestic routes it’s like SDV vs TLV. Which is why there's so much opposition to the mandated closure of SDV.

You just can't beat in-town airports. Think TXL, YTZ. The convenience is too good to give up. 

[ExGingi]

Couldn't find English source yet for the real interesting part of this (which isn't in the title)

https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3753908,00.html

The less interesting part is that Ryanair will start flying TLV-ATH, TLV-OTP, and TLV-SOF.

The interesting part is that Hainan will end their recently launched CAN-TLV service and replace it with SZX-TLV service.

[ExGingi]

https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3753997,00.html

Sorry again for Hebrew article. Interesting tidbits:

LY is the #1 Ex-TLV carrier with 25% share (down about 0.5% from prior year)
TK is #2 with 4.8% share (and 6.6% YOY growth)
WizzAir is #3 with 4.7% (50% YOY growth)
EasyJet is #4 with 4.5% (26% YOY growth)
SU closes the top 5 with 3.4% share (buy 5.4% YOY) decline.

RyanAir (#12) had 201% YOY growth, and LO (#20) had 50.5% YOY growth.

[ExGingi]

Couldn't find English source yet for the real interesting part of this (which isn't in the title)

https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3753908,00.html

The less interesting part is that Ryanair will start flying TLV-ATH, TLV-OTP, and TLV-SOF.

The interesting part is that Hainan will end their recently launched CAN-TLV service and replace it with SZX-TLV service.

That took quite a while to show up as an English article.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-hainan-airlines-to-launch-tel-aviv-shenzhen-flights-1001269262

[Proisrael]

That took quite a while to show up as an English article.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-hainan-airlines-to-launch-tel-aviv-shenzhen-flights-1001269262

What am I missing with this idea flying on a Monday getting in on a Tuesday is a good flight? Wouldn't it make sense to fly Sunday getting in Monday for a full days work?

In addition to this Cathay also canceled their Sunday flights to Israel until March.

[Proisrael]

That took quite a while to show up as an English article.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-hainan-airlines-to-launch-tel-aviv-shenzhen-flights-1001269262

Also mentions that China Eastern will take over the route for Hainan.

[shimino1]

Couldn't find English source yet for the real interesting part of this (which isn't in the title)

https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3753908,00.html

The less interesting part is that Ryanair will start flying TLV-ATH, TLV-OTP, and TLV-SOF.

The interesting part is that Hainan will end their recently launched CAN-TLV service and replace it with SZX-TLV service.

I beg to differ. Until now all flights TLV-ATH were at least- $120-150 RT. If Ryanair starts offering this route for 20-50 Euro RT, it will make a huge difference.

[yitrap]

.

[Denverite]

.

That’s interesting...

[PlatinumGuy]

I'd bet good money that AA will start a TLV route by 2020

[davidrotts63]

I'd bet good money that AA will start a TLV route by 2020

767? Lol

[Dan]

I'd bet good money that AA will start a TLV route by 2020

Why did they stop it in 2016?
Why didn't they do MIA when they could have beat LY?

[PlatinumGuy]

Why did they stop it in 2016?
Why didn't they do MIA when they could have beat LY?

TLV volume has increased by more than 30% since 2016.

In 2018 4.4m tourists entered Israel, compares to 3m in 2016 and continues to grow at 20% annual rate.

I wonder if there's a deal that LY got MIA and AA got ORD. Gotta be a reason LY is doing LAS, MCO, BOS, & SFO and not ORD.

AA probably has significant obligations from the TWA days which they are very stubborn about not paying (perhaps there's a broader precedent issue with other jurisdictions), so it's a tough pill for them to swallow, but with UA having 4 flights a day it's a hole in their network they can't afford to maintain forever. The Israeli gov't is extremely proactive in stimulating new routes, so I am sure they will do what they can to reach a resolution.

[Proisrael]

TLV volume has increased by more than 30% since 2016.

In 2018 4.4m tourists entered Israel, compares to 3m in 2016 and continues to grow at 20% annual rate.

I wonder if there's a deal that LY got MIA and AA got ORD. Gotta be a reason LY is doing LAS, MCO, BOS, & SFO and not ORD.

AA probably has significant obligations from the TWA days which they are very stubborn about not paying (perhaps there's a broader precedent issue with other jurisdictions), so it's a tough pill for them to swallow, but with UA having 4 flights a day it's a hole in their network they can't afford to maintain forever. The Israeli gov't is extremely proactive in stimulating new routes, so I am sure they will do what they can to reach a resolution.

Is Israel the only Middle East country with US Airlines flying direct?

[PlatinumGuy]

Is Israel the only Middle East country with US Airlines flying direct?

I think so. AC YYZ-DXB is the closest.

[shapsam]

TLV volume has increased by more than 30% since 2016.

In 2018 4.4m tourists entered Israel, compares to 3m in 2016 and continues to grow at 20% annual rate.

I wonder if there's a deal that LY got MIA and AA got ORD. Gotta be a reason LY is doing LAS, MCO, BOS, & SFO and not ORD.

AA probably has significant obligations from the TWA days which they are very stubborn about not paying (perhaps there's a broader precedent issue with other jurisdictions), so it's a tough pill for them to swallow, but with UA having 4 flights a day it's a hole in their network they can't afford to maintain forever. The Israeli gov't is extremely proactive in stimulating new routes, so I am sure they will do what they can to reach a resolution.

According to "JonNYC" if they do TLV it'll be from PHL.

[davidrotts63]

According to "JonNYC" if they do TLV it'll be from PHL.

I'd assume that's quite logical as it's their east coast hub which is the hottest market

[yitrap]

According to "JonNYC" if they do TLV it'll be from PHL.

He also said TWA bill wasn't the issue.