Air France, a major airline, will restart flights to Israel this week. The first flight from Paris to Tel Aviv is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 24. These flights will happen three times a week - on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Air France Resumes Flights to Israel
The resuming comes after a break in flights to Israel by most European airlines. They had stopped flying there due to safety concerns following conflict in Gaza in October. The conflict was sparked by attacks from Hamas, a group recognized as a terrorist organization by many countries, according to Business Travel News Europe.
Lufthansa Group's airlines already began flying to Israel again from Jan. 8. However, KLM, which is part of the same group as Air France, has not resumed its Amsterdam to Tel Aviv flights.
Air France emphasizes that the safety of its passengers and crew is their top concern. The airline keeps a close watch on the political situation in areas where its planes fly.
Other airlines, like Wizz Air, plan to restart their Israel routes soon. Wizz Air will fly from London and several European cities to Tel Aviv starting March 1. Meanwhile, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have cancelled their Tel Aviv flights until the end of March. Ryanair also won't fly to Tel Aviv from various European cities until then.
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Launches Non-Stop Flights Between Phoenix and Paris
Air France is set to start direct flights between Phoenix and Paris. This new service, announced in Phoenix, is a significant development for the city's Sky Harbor International Airport. The flights will commence on May 23, just before the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, where Air France is the official airline.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego expressed excitement about this addition, highlighting its expected $30 million yearly economic boost for Phoenix. Arizona's Family reported that this route is especially noteworthy as the number of travelers flying from Phoenix to Paris has risen by nearly 40% since 2019. Prior to this, Paris was the largest European destination not directly served by flights from Phoenix.
Air France's introduction of this route is part of a special celebration marking their 90th anniversary. Boaz Hulsman, an Air France-KLM North America executive, mentioned the significance of this year for the airline and their joy in finally establishing this connection.
Gallego also noted the broader impact, welcoming visitors from Paris to Phoenix, known as the "Valley of the Sun." This new service will likely increase travel and cultural exchanges between the two cities.
Sky Harbor, where Air France will be the 23rd operating airline, is a significant hub. Recently, it was named the top large U.S. airport by the Wall Street Journal. On an average day, the airport sees about 1,200 aircraft and over 130,000 passengers, contributing over $38 billion annually to the local economy.
This new direct flight service by Air France is a milestone for the airline and a major boost for travel and economic ties between Phoenix and Paris.
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