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The Tel Aviv-based Israeli carrier Israir is launching a pilot program for some domestic flights, in line with Israel’s ongoing coronavirus vaccination efforts. Specific services between Tel Aviv and Eilat will only be available to passengers who have received a vaccine, or those who have antibodies that have had and recovered from COVID-19.
Vaccine and antibody theft only
Israel Hayom says Israir Airlines is preparing to launch a series of COVID secure domestic flights. These special services will operate between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and Eilat Ramon Airport (ETM).
The pilot program for these vaccine and antibody-only flights could begin in a week, with Israir targeting Tuesday as the launch date. They will initially operate on a weekly basis, with tickets costing 141 shekels ($ 43).
To travel on any of these services, passengers must present a “green passport”. This document will certify one of two things.
- That they have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
- That they have had and recovered from COVID-19, and now have antibodies against it.
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Israir has chosen Eilat as the destination for its vaccine and antibody flights only, as the Israeli government has already allowed hotels in the city to reopen. It will also ensure that all crew members aboard the flights in question have received a vaccine.
Israir in a few words
The El Al flag carrier is comfortably Israel’s largest airline. However, Israir has good reason to be the second tallest. According to Planespotters.net, its seven aircraft constitute a slightly larger fleet than its compatriot and Airbus launch customer A321LR Arkia (five aircraft).
Israir Airlines was originally founded in 1989 under the name “Knafei HaEmek”, before taking on its current identity in 1996. In addition to its four Airbus A320-200 planes, as shown below, it also operates three ATR72 turboprop engines. However, in the future, there are suggestions that it could become a fully Airbus A220 airline, like the Latvian airline airBaltic.
The past few months have been crucial in supporting the growth of Israir in the face of the ongoing pandemic. For example, in September it became the first airline to operate a direct commercial flight from Israel to Bahrain. Then, last month, he announced that he had partnered with Etihad to use his simulators in Abu Dhabi for additional pilot training.
Emirates crews are also widely vaccinated
Like Israir, the UAE flag bearer based in Dubai, Emirates, has also stepped up vaccination efforts among its staff. It culminated today, on one of its services between Dubai and Los Angeles. EK215 was the first Emirates flight where every employee involved was vaccinated.
This not only included the crew members on board, but also the check-in, security, lounge and gate staff in Dubai. A total of 70 vaccinated staff were involved in the flight. However, that is just a drop in the bucket when you consider the total number of Emirates employees who have now been vaccinated. According to some sources, that number is as high as 26,000.
What do you think of Israel’s new vaccination policy only on certain domestic flights? Have you ever flown with the Tel Aviv-based carrier? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
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