"We see a revival": about 1.2 million are expected to pass through Israel on Passover

According to the airport authority data, about 1.2 million passengers will pass through Israel during April, most of them during the Passover holiday. Tomorrow (Sunday) about 52 thousand passengers on 380 international flights are expected to pass through Israel, and next Sunday – the transition is expected of about 60 thousand passengers. The Airports Authority is preparing for the sharp increase after the months of depression since the outbreak of the Iron Swords War on October 7.

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"We are seeing the beginnings of recovery since the outbreak of the war, but we are still far from the impressive numbers of Israelis flying abroad for freedom, compared to last year's Passover," Tali Laufer , CEO of the Association of Travel Ministries, tells Maariv. "This is a decrease of tens of percent compared to last year. Many Israelis still do not go on vacations abroad."

According to her, a number of reasons still leave a large part of Israelis at home: "Although the airlines are gradually returning to flying to Israel, but usually with a lower frequency than before the war and the supply of seats has decreased significantly compared to the period before the war," she explains – "this has caused at least an increase in flight prices By 30%, because the prices are determined according to supply and demand."

Laufer estimates that another reason stems from the uncertainty due to the continuation of the war, the security tensions and the travel warnings: "Many people are afraid to book in advance. It is true that Israeli airlines have introduced a policy that facilitates cancellations and foreign airlines are also more lenient compared to the past, but there is a fear of booking in advance, when there is a lack of Certainty," she says – "many Israelis want to go on vacations after the stressful months, but are still hesitant and expect more certainty and cheaper prices on flights."

This year's leading destinations for family vacations will apparently be Cyprus, Greece, Georgia and Montenegro. The increase in the price of vacation packages compared to last year is due, among other things, to the change in destinations: "Last year, Turkey was a top destination and this year it has decreased at all, there are no direct flights to Morocco either. There are alternative destinations, but the prices are more expensive compared to vacation packages purchased last summer to Turkey, also because of the more expensive flights," she explains.

Laufer further estimates that, despite the abolition of the need to issue a visa to the US, there is still no increase in the number of flights from Israel, due to the high prices of the flights: "A flight to the US is very expensive. The United company returned to flying to Israel, but it is still unclear what will happen The frequency in the summer and the prices in El Al are relatively expensive compared to the period before the war." She also says – "Ahead of the summer vacation, a lot will depend on the prices of flights to the USA. If there is a decrease – we will see a significant increase in the number of Israelis flying there."

Laufer warns that since the war, some of the travel agencies have laid off workers and if there is no recovery, layoffs are expected. However, she concludes optimistically: "We are looking forward to the great awakening. We can see the beginning, but we are still far from last year."