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Some 200 elected officials, business community leaders and tourism partners gathered on April 25 at the Montreal Science Centre to celebrate Air Transat’s first flight between Montreal and Tel Aviv, which will take off this coming June 18. Among those in attendance were Lionel Perez, member of the Executive Committee of the City of Montreal, Uri Steinberg, Consul and Israel Tourism Commissioner for North America, and Philippe Rainville, president and chief executive officer of Aéroports de Montréal.
The event was co-presided by Jean-Marc Eustache, founder and president and chief executive officer, Transat A.T. Inc., and Ziv Nevo Kulman, Consul General of Israel and Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
“We will be offering our customers a historic moment with a capital ‘H’ this summer,” said Eustache, reminding guests that Transat, one of the world’s largest integrated tourism companies, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Eustache also took the opportunity to state his belief that tourism is the future. “Tourism demand in Canada exceeded $91 billion in 2016, generating some 720,000 jobs,” he said. “We are proud to be making a significant contribution to the development and growth of this economic sector.”
“Since Air Transat’s announcement of a direct flight linking Montreal with Tel Aviv, we have seen a dramatic increase in interest for Israel as a tourist destination and eagerly welcome this wonderful opportunity to welcome thousands of passengers from Canada to our country,” said Kulman. “This direct air link presents travellers with an ideal chance to discover the riches of the Holy Land, the beauty of its landscapes and the diversity of its peoples, as well as the chance for Israelis to enjoy the 150th and 375th anniversary festivities in Canada and Montreal.”
“The air link announced by Air Transat is good news for the Quebec economy. The exchanges made possible by the new link between Israel and Quebec, particularly for tourists, can only benefit our destination,” added Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region.
“I welcome the decision by Transat to open a route into Israel with the co-operation and support of the Tourism Ministry,” said Yariv Levin, Israeli Minister of Tourism. “Transat joins a lengthy list of airlines that are opening new direct routes to Israel and view Israel as an attractive tourism destination. This is a vote of confidence in the Israeli tourism product and I am convinced that the new route will be a success.”
“Last November, I was privileged to lead a major trade mission to Israel. I could see how well our economies and our businesses complemented each other. Montreal and Tel Aviv are major centres of research and innovation, as well as popular destinations for business, tourism and leisure,” said Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal. “This new direct air link underlines the importance of the business, tourism and community relationships between Montreal and Israel. I am convinced this new direct flight will be a success and that it will further stimulate trade and tourism between Montreal and Israel.”
“In addition to directly serving 21 European cities from Montreal, Air Transat is opening new markets to the Middle East with its Tel Aviv service,” said Rainville. “Montrealers are the beneficiaries of this culturally and historically rich destination. Once again, we can underscore our partner’s contribution to offering such a wide range of destinations out of Montréal-Trudeau, which now features nearly 140 destinations served by direct flights.”
“Tourisme Montréal would like to commend Air Transat for making it easier to travel from our city to the Holy Land,” said Yves Lalumière, president and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. “We are confident that this new direct flight will result in positive tourism and economic spinoffs for both destinations. This move also confirms Montréal’s position as an official gateway to North America.”
The new city-pair will be flown by a 332-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft, aboard which passengers will enjoy the unparalleled experience offered by Air Transat, named Best North America Leisure Airline for the past five years.
Transat will offer its customers 28 transatlantic destinations–Tel Aviv and 27 European centres–for the summer of 2017.
Starting June 18 and until the end of October, Air Transat will offer two direct flights a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, from Montréal-Trudeau airport to Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Synchronized connecting flights from Toronto will enable travellers to board the non-stop flight departing from Montreal.
“We are thrilled to feature our very first destination in the Middle East. The demand for a direct Montreal-Tel Aviv flight was high for travellers visiting friends and family in the two cities and those in search of new discoveries,” said Annick Guérard, president of Transat Tours Canada. “Tel Aviv is a vibrant and modern metropolis with plenty to offer in terms of culture, gastronomy and nightlife. It is also the ideal gateway for a vacation immersing travellers in ancient and religious history.”
Transat will offer four guided tours in Israel to allow travellers to fully explore this destination thanks to the expertise of passionate guides. Combining proven itineraries, well-located three- or four-star hotels, experienced guides, air-conditioned coaches and a wide variety of inclusions (such as some meals), Transat’s guided tours offer travellers complete peace of mind while showing them the best that Israel has to offer.
