(JTA) — United Airlines is adding a San Francisco-Tel Aviv route.
United will begin the direct flight in April, the Israeli business daily Globes reported last week. It will offer three flights per week from each airport using Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 passenger jets.
United Airlines Israel managing director Avi Friedman told Globes that the opening of the new route was in response to demand from customers, “especially businessmen and high-tech people.”
“There is a substantial flow of passengers from the high-tech industry flying from Israel to companies operating in Silicon Valley and other locations in the San Francisco Bay area,” he added, noting that thousands of customers signed a petition in support of the direct flights.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro welcomed the news, posting on his Facebook page that the nonstop flights “will further strengthen the commercial, cultural, and personal relationships between the United States and Israel.”
In addition to the new United flights, El Al added a direct flight to Boston in June.
Less than two months ago, American Airlines canceled its Philadelphia-Tel Aviv route, citing financial losses.
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