Airline TUI fly will start a direct connection between Antwerp airport and the Israeli city of Tel Aviv in mid-December, specifically targeting the Jewish community in the Flemish city.
On Thursday 14 December, the first flight from Antwerp to Tel Aviv will depart from Deurne Airport. The direct Antwerp-Tel Aviv route is a first for the Belgian airport.
Until recently it was not possible to cover the distance between the two cities in one go due to the limited length of the runway in Antwerp. However, earlier this year, the company bought the innovative Embraer E2-195 aircraft, with a flying range of up to 4,455 km, with which it can carry out this flight.
Besides the increasing success of Tel Aviv as a city trip destination, the connection is especially good news for the local Jewish community. "Tel Aviv is above all the destination of choice for the Jewish community in Antwerp," TUI fly noted. "For them, this direct Antwerp-Tel Aviv line is therefore excellent news. Never before has Israel been so easily accessible." The community here numbers about 20,000.
The flight from Antwerp to Tel Aviv will leave at 10:00 and arrive at 15:50 on Thursdays. The return flight will depart from Tel Aviv at 16:40 and land in Antwerp at 21:05. On Sundays, the flight will leave at 08:55 with arrival scheduled at 14:45. The 15:35 return flight arrives in Antwerp at 20:00.
