The Foreign Ministry is aware of efforts to launch a direct air route between Israel and Ireland. The ministry is indirectly supporting a move by the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce (FICC)and the national carrier El Al.
Ireland is one of the few remaining Western European countries from which there are no direct flights to Israel.
FICC president Uriel Lynn headed a business delegation that visited Dublin in April, getting the ball rolling on the subject of the air route, which was raised in talks between commercial and economic interests from both countries. The joint conclusion was that a direct flight between Ireland and Israel could have a positive impact on the development of trade ties between the two countries, particularly in the areas of air traffic and tourism.
EL Al CEO Amos Shapira recently added his support to the move, sending a letter to his Air Lingus colleague Willie Walsh, offering to examine cooperation between the airlines in light of an expected upturn in passenger travel between the countries - travel that currently involves layovers in Europe and seasonal charter flights.
El Al commented in response to this report: "Company management constantly examines possible expansion of operations. Other than that, the company does not comment on ongoing business discussions