<article><p class="lead">Israel's national airline El Al will begin operating direct flights to and from the UAE starting next month, making it the third airline to serve the route. </p><p>The launch of new routes should support demand for air travel and jet fuel, providing some respite for the aviation industry facing the worst crisis in its history because of the Covid-19 pandemic.</p><p>El Al will offer 14 flights a week between Israel's Ben Gurion international airport in the capital Tel Aviv and Dubai international airport starting on 13 December. The move follows the signing of an <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2151821">aviation agreement</a> between the two countries last month. This was the latest in a series of agreements struck between the two countries after they <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2132250">formally normalised relations</a> in mid-September.</p><p>The Israeli government restricted air travel to international passengers in mid-March to contain the spread of Covid-19. But these restrictions have been easing since late October, with foreign passengers now largely permitted to fly to Israel. </p><p>Fellow Israeli airlines Arkia and Israir have discussed plans to begin flights to the UAE starting next month but neither have released any concrete details. </p><p>Low-cost UAE carrier <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2156599">FlyDubai</a> said earlier this month that it will offer two flights a day between Dubai and Ben Gurion starting on 26 November.</p><p>El Al and Abu Dhabi national airline Etihad Airways last week signed an initial agreement to explore deeper co-operation, including the possibility of a code-share agreement for flights between Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv and other destinations. Etihad said it will begin operating <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2160188">daily scheduled year-round flights between Abu Dhabi and Ben Gurion</a> starting on 28 March. </p><p class="bylines">By Sarah Raffoul</p></article>
