Israel and China have signed a deal that will significantly increase the frequency of flights between the countries. The deal also allows more airlines to operate regular flights between them.
Transportation and Road Safety Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud-Beytenu) said on Monday that according to the agreement -- which was signed by Civil Aviation Authority Director Giora Rom and his Chinese counterpart -- Israel and China can operate 14 regular flights and seven cargo flights weekly between the two countries.
Until now, Israel's national airline, El Al, has operated just three weekly flights from Tel Aviv to Beijing, while China's national airline, Air China, does not operate any flights between the countries.
Katz added that allowing other Israeli and Chinese airlines to compete for new lines to China will increase Israel's exposure as a tourist destination. The volume of travel between Tel Aviv and Beijing currently stands at some 50,000 passengers per year, which does not include another 30,000 who make the trip via other stops.
In a meeting on Sunday between the Israeli and Chinese aviation delegations, the head of China's civil aviation authority pointed out that Chinese airlines do not operate flights to Israel today, but suggested integrating Israeli pilots in Chinese airlines to operate direct lines to Israel. The delegations agreed to continue their cooperation and examine the Chinese proposition further.