Transport Ministry names Arkia "designated carrier" To Paris

Minister of Transport said that in the coming weeks he would grant designated carrier status on more routes, including London, Madrid, Barcelona, and Moscow
 
Israel's transport ministry announced last Tuesday the decision to name Israeli carrier Arkia as a "designated carrier" on flight routes between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport and Charles de Gaulle Aiport.
 
Arkia Israeli Airlines, a subsidiary of Nakash Group of America, will become the second Israeli carrier to offer regular scheduled flights on the Tel Aviv-Paris route, breaking the monopoly of Israeli flag carrier El Al.
 
Minister of Transport, Shaul Mofaz, said that in the coming weeks he would grant designated carrier status on more routes, including London, Madrid, Barcelona, and Moscow. He added that the goal was to boost competition to popular European destinations beginning with the upcoming summer season.
 
Israel and the European Union recently signed a preliminary "open skies" agreement that would greatly ease restrictions on air travel between Israel and European states. Israel's Tourism Ministry has long pushed for an open skies policy as a means to increase competition, which would lead to lower airfares and more tourists.