Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., December 22, 2008 Kislev 25, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:22 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

Eilat looks forward in fear to end of Russia charter flights By Zohar Blumenkrantz Tags: bus crash, Eilat  After last week's bus accident that resulted in the deaths of 24 Russian travel agents on their way to Eilat, hoteliers in the southern resort now fear that the suspension of charter flights from Russia beginning January 15 will hurt tourism from that country. They fear that tickets booked on commercial flights will be more expensive than those from charter airlines. According to Roni Pivko, CEO of the Club Hotel Eilat chain in Eilat and a member of the Eilat Hotels Association, the aviation agreement between Israel and Russia specifies that direct charter flights from Russia to Eilat are to end on January 15. After that, each country is to select one commercial carrier. There is to be a maximum of six weekly flights from Russia to Israel, and they can depart from Moscow only. "In effect that will raise the price of tickets from Moscow to Eilat and back, since the prices of the commercial airlines are much higher than those of the charter airlines. It will destroy competition and will have a major effect on tourist traffic from Russia to Eilat. We have requested an urgent meeting with the ministers of transportation and tourism on the issue," Pivko said. Advertisement In the past few months Russians have been the largest single group of foreign tourists in Eilat, representing 30%, 37% and 47% in September, October and November, respectively. Pivko attributes the city's popularity with Russian tourists to the harsh Russian winter, the cancellation of visa requirements and the fact that Israel's large population of Russian-speakers means that Russian tourists feel at home here. Pivko said he has not heard about many cancellations in the wake of last Tuesday's fatal crash. "I hope the accident will not affect Russian travel to Eilat. We have New Year's celebrations planned in the hotels that many tourists from Russia are expected to attend. Two days later there will be an international boxing match between Russian and Israeli champions in eight different weight categories, from flyweight to heavyweight, with international judges." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Madoff not welcome Members of exclusive N.Y. synagogue lose collective $2 billion in Madoff scam. Under threat Shin Bet chief says Hamas rockets can hit outskirts of Be'er Sheva.

Read & React Gideon Levy: Israel must talk with Hamas Responses: 68 Hamas mulls renewal of suicide bombings in Israel Responses: 86 Senior U.S. lawmaker: Limit Iran talks to no more than 3 months Responses: 50 Israel, Arab states at odds over first UN gay rights declaration Responses: 53 Diplomats: Assad says he won't restrain arming of Hezbollah Responses: 39 More Headlines 00:14 Israel kicks off global PR campaign to recruit support for Gaza raids 01:16 Damascus: Talks with Israel only after U.S., Israeli elections 00:32 Shin Bet chief: Hamas rockets can hit outskirts of Be'er Sheva 23:13 Russia denies supplying Iran with missiles capable of repelling Israeli air strike 20:27 Members of exclusive N.Y. synagogue lose collective $2 billion in Madoff scam 21:49 Polish president celebrates Hanukkah with historic visit to Warsaw synagogue 19:20 Abbas: Hamas' abuse of religion for political end is unacceptable 20:29 Want to help improve the Haaretz.com homepage? 18:47 Jaffa mosque daubed with 'Mohammed is a pig,' 'Death to Arabs' 18:45 Key Obama backer, confidante Alan Solow tipped to head U.S. Jewry's top body 00:47 IAF air strike destroys two rocket launchers in northern Gaza Strip 18:46 Livni: As prime minister, I will topple Hamas regime in Gaza 03:30 Amos Gilad, the man in charge of Israel's security 03:37 Diplomats: Assad says he won't restrain arming of Hezbollah 18:10 Ravaged Mumbai hotel reopens three weeks after deadly siege 04:08 ANALYSIS / Budget will decide whether Israel attacks Iran Previous Editions Select Day 21 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 15 dec 14 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 08 dec

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