Israel, EU to sign 'open skies' treaty
Israel Joins EU aviation zone, opening new destination, more job opportunities and cheaper flights
Following eight rounds of negotiations, dating back to December 2008, the two sides agreed Thursday to develop a "common aviation zone" between Israel and the EU. The agreement will offer more travel opportunities, more direct connection flights and economic benefits for both sides.
"The comprehensive aviation agreement reached in Tel Aviv today is very important for further strengthening the overall economic, trade and tourism relations between Israel and the EU," EU Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas said.
"Israel is a key partner for the EU and the agreement will strengthen the aviation links between the two partners and establish a high level of regulatory convergence", he added.
More upportunities for cheap flights (Photo: Ben Kelmer)
Flight Prices will be reduced
As a result of the agreement, all EU airlines will be able to operate direct flights to Israel from anywhere in the EU, while Israeli carriers will be able to operate flights to airports throughout the EU.
The EU-Israel air transport market will be opened gradually so that by the start of the summer season in 2017, the market would be fully open with no restrictions on the number of weekly flights between Israel and the EU.
The gradual opening of the market is expected to encourage a larger number of direct flights from Israel to more destinations in Europe at lower prices, while also reducing flight fees to Israel for European travelers.
Higher volumes of tourism in both directions are expected to create additional jobs and economic benefits on both sides. The gradual implementation of the agreement will give sufficient time for carriers on both sides to prepare for increased competition.
As well as gradually opening up the respective markets, the agreement also aims to integrate Israel into a wider Common Aviation Area with the EU. Israel will implement regulatory requirements and standards equivalent to EU aviation rules in areas such as aviation safety, environment, consumer protection, including passenger rights, air traffic management, economic regulation, competition issues and social aspects.
More destination, more accessible (Photo: Gettyimages)
The most important aviation market for Israel
The agreement will replace bilateral air services agreements between EU Member States and Israel.
The agreement will be a further step in creating a wider Common Aviation Area between the EU and its neighbours. Similar comprehensive aviation agreements with neighbouring countries have already been negotiated with the Western Balkan countries, Morocco, Jordan, Georgia and Moldova and negotiations are on-going with Ukraine and Lebanon and are planned to soon start with Azerbaijan and Tunisia.
In 2010 the overall EU-Israel air transport market was 6.75 million passengers, which represents an increase of 13.4% compared to 2009.
The EU is the most important aviation market for Israel, accounting for 57% of scheduled international air passenger movements to and from Israel. Similarly, Israel is one of the most important aviation markets for the EU in the Middle-East with a strong growth potential.
Today, there are scheduled direct passenger flight connections between Israel and 16 EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom).
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