Singapore Airlines, considered one of the world's top air carriers, is looking into launching direct flights to and from Israel. According to sources in the Israel Airports Authority, the airline has submitted a request for permission to land in Israel starting in the summer of 2017, but there is no guarantee that the flights will begin this summer. A number of similar requests by other airlines have been submitted and approved, but several months went by before the flights began operating. Last year saw a sharp uptick in the number of Israelis traveling to Singapore, growth that would justify direct flights. Over 10,000 Israelis visited Singapore in the first six months of 2016 alone, compared to 15,000 Israelis who traveled to Singapore in 2015. Singapore is a gateway to the Far East, as well as a hub for flights connecting to Australia. Currently, Israelis can travel to Singapore on Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Jordanian and Turkish Airways, or fly to Singapore from Europe. In 2015, Singapore Airlines, like other premium Asian airlines, experienced a drop in the number of business class passengers and lower demand for full-price tickets caused by the new budget airlines operating in Southeast Asia. The airline is seeking new markets, which is apparently one of the reasons it is looking into Israel. Singapore Airlines is slated to present its plans for Israeli in November, when three of its senior officials, who are based in Switzerland, are scheduled to visit.
Singapore Airlines explores launching direct flights to Israel
The drop in the premium Asian carrier's business class traffic in 2015, combined with the growing number of Israelis travelling to Singapore, a gateway to the Far East and a hub for flights to Australia, make Israel an attractive market for expansion.
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