JERUSALEM, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel's flagship airline El Al announced on Sunday it will launch direct flights from Tel Aviv to the Asian capitals Manila, Seoul, and Hanoi, with three weekly flights to each destination.
The new Tel Aviv-Manila route marks the first-ever direct air connection between Israel and the Philippines, with flights taking around 11 hours to Manila and 12 hours 20 minutes on the return, El Al said.
The airline's Hanoi service will complement existing direct flights operated by Israeli airline Arkia, which began operating nonstop flights between Israel and Vietnam late last month.
El Al will also operate direct flights from Tel Aviv to Seoul. The route, previously served by South Korea's flag carrier Korean Air, was suspended after the multi-front conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023.
"The new routes will provide an optimal solution for business travelers and help strengthen economic ties between Israel and Asian countries," the Israeli airline said. ■
