The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary, announced his plans to expand the company operation and offer flights from Israel to some “200 new airports and destinations,” channel 13 report Tuesday.
“We can bring millions more to Israel, we will grow as fast as the authorities allow us to,” O’Leary told Channel 13 news upon his arrival in Israel on Tuesday for a brief visit.
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During a meeting with the representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and the Israel Airports Authority O’Leary expressed an interest in having Ryanair operate flights within Israel, which so far has only been handled by local carriers.
The 57-year-old CEO, which has been called “Big-mouth” for his confrontational business approach, told Tourism Minister Yariv Levin that Israel could turn into a trendy tourism destination with Ryanair’s help.
“I feel that there is potential for significant growth in Israeli tourism. I feel that Israel is one of the most refreshing destinations,” O’Leary said. “People are fed up with placed like the Caribbean. Israel has wonderful beaches and good cuisine.”
Recently Ryanair announced its launching new flights from Tel Aviv to three destinations. To Athens and Thessaloniki in Greec, and Sofia in Bulgaria.
In summer 2019 Ryanair is expected to operate some 28 weekly flights to Israel from 12 different destinations.
In 2018, the Irish airways served 600,00 passengers between Israel and Europe, with 517,000 traveling from European destinations to Tel Aviv. A 200% increase from a previous year.
According to the report, O’Leary believes Israel is one of the most promising tourism destinations.
