MIA TO WELCOME EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES IN NOVEMBER

(MIAMI, May 2017) – EL AL Israel Airlines announced today the launch of the only Miami-Tel Aviv nonstop service, starting in November with three weekly roundtrip flights operating on Boeing 777-200 aircraft. Miami will be the first EL AL destination in Florida and the airline’s fifth route in the USA.

“We are proud to welcome EL AL Israel Airlines to our community, and to be the only destination in Florida and in the southeast U.S. with non-stop service to Tel Aviv,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Miami-Dade County and Miami International Airport continue to attract air service by the world’s top airlines from the world’s most influential cities.”

EL AL flies to 36 destinations from Israel and serves hundreds of other destinations throughout the world via partnerships with leading carriers.

“Congratulations to Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. Gonzalez and his team for adding yet another key international destination to our global network at MIA,” said Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Chairman Esteban L. Bovo Jr. “Our community, which includes one of the largest Jewish populations in the U.S., will benefit greatly from our local airport now providing nonstop service to Israel.”

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, Chairwoman of the County’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee, added: “EL AL’s new flights from Israel will bring thousands of international visitors, millions of dollars in economic impact, and more jobs to Miami-Dade County, which is fantastic news for our residents and our local business community. Congratulations to MIA for connecting our community to the world like never before.”

EL AL is the sixth international passenger airline to schedule a service launch into the Miami market this year. Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris began four weekly flights to Guadalajara and daily service to Mexico City on February 1; Canadian airline First Air began charter passenger flights on February 4 from Ontario; low-cost transatlantic airline WOW air launched thrice-weekly service to Reykjavík, Iceland on April 5; Aer Lingus will launch three weekly flights to Dublin, Ireland on September 1; and SAS will begin weekly service to Stockholm, Sweden on October 29. MIA currently serves 106 airlines, which is the most of any U.S. airport.

David Maimon, President and CEO, EL AL Israel Airlines: “I am pleased to announce today that EL AL will launch the only nonstop flights from South Florida to Israel in the near future. This decision is part and parcel of the strategy in which we recognize the importance of trans-Atlantic routes and our desire to expand EL AL’s presence in North America. This new gateway city in the USA will help ensure that as the national airline, EL AL continues to be the leading airline for travel to Israel, offering the most nonstops.”

“We deeply appreciate EL AL Israel Airlines for choosing Miami as its fifth and newest U.S. destination,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. González. “In our efforts to make MIA a truly global gateway, Israel has always been one of our top strategic targets because of its unique and historically significant global location, and because of its deep cultural ties with Miami. We look forward to offering our passengers another travel option to that region of the world.”

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Miami International Airport offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport, is America’s second-busiest airport for international passengers, boasts a lineup of more than 100 air carriers and is the top U.S. airport for international freight. MIA, along with its general aviation airports, is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating business revenue of $33.7 billion annually and welcoming 70 percent of all international visitors to Florida. MIA’s vision is to grow from a recognized hemispheric hub to a global airport of choice that offers customers a world-class experience and an expanded route network with direct passenger and cargo access to all world regions. MIA is committed to sustainable practices. Learn more at www.MIAefficiency.com.