United Airlines will begin offering nonstop flights to Ben Gurion International Airport from Dulles International Airport in Fairfax County, about 25 miles from the capitol city of the United States, starting on May 22nd.More than 200 people attended a gala reception in the Washington D.C area last week, celebrating the launch of the route, which will operate three times a week initially with the goal of expansion to daily service.
“With this new flight, we’ll be able to offer a new gateway to Israel," stated Steve Morrissey, United Airline’s vice president of international regulatory and policy. He added that increased flights will result in "connecting the seeds of government in Washington as well as connecting the thriving Dulles Tech Corridor to Israel, which is home to some of world’s most advanced companies that develop sophisticated technologies in scientific and medical research, companies that innovate and companies that make the desert bloom.”
The Thursday gathering also launched a task force to promote business ties with Israel initiated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and United Airlines.
Jan Mul, international marketing director of the FCEDA stated, "from an economic development perspective, I cannot stress enough the importance of Dulles International Airport in our region. It is not for nothing that companies such as Amazon, Volkswagen, Hilton and many more have selected this region as home for their headquarters. When you read about the rationale for their decision, you hear (about) the high-qualify workforce, diversity and the proximity to an international airport.”
Yifat Alon-Perel, minister for economic and trade affairs at the Israeli Embassy attended the event and expressed excitement for the new venture. “I think it will be wonderful for the business community. I foresee more and more Israeli companies coming to this area and, hopefully, more American businessmen from the Fairfax County area engaging with Israel," she stated.
Jack Potter, president and CEO of MWAA and Steve Morrissey, United’s vice president of international regulatory and policy, agreed that they’d like nothing more than to see the service expand to daily service in short order. “The Washington-Tel Aviv air travel market has grown by more than 40 percent in the past five years, showing clear demand for this important route,” added Jack Potter, president and CEO of MWAA .