As first reported by Passport News, significant news for the aviation industry:
Who will be the first to return to operations in Israel?
After a period of uncertainty and changes in the aviation field, MK David Bitan, chair of the Economic Committee, decided to approve the amendments to the Aviation Services Law (also known as the “Tibi Law”) in line with the current security situation. This decision is intended to address the urgent needs of both foreign and Israeli airlines.
Bitan addressed the issue and said: “There is progress in the contacts between the Finance Ministry and the Israel Airports Authority. The Finance Ministry understood that if we don’t approve the changes now, we may also lose the next tourist season, since the airlines are already finalizing their schedules going forward.”
The decision was made following lengthy discussions, after Bitan had previously blown up an Economic Committee meeting in protest at the Finance Ministry’s refusal to fund the gap in airport fees between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. The low-cost airlines demanded to operate from Terminal 3 but pay low fees as at Terminal 1, in order to create fairer competitive conditions.
Approving the amendments to the law is a significant step that could encourage foreign airlines to return to operating in Israel, while allowing Israeli airlines to compete on important international routes, including to the United States.
