Israel and the European Union have concluded an aviation agreement that is aimed at reducing air fares to and from the Jewish state, the EU said.
The deal is set to be phased in gradually by 2017 and will allow all EU airlines to fly directly to Israel and Israeli carriers will be able to operate flights to airports throughout the EU. “The . . . agreement is very important for further strengthening the overall economic, trade and tourism relations between Israel and the EU,” said Siim Kallas, vice- president of the European Commission and commissioner for transport.
The agreement will replace aviation agreements Israel had signed with individual EU member states. – (Reuters)