Israel’s Airline Claims it was Thrown Under the Bus by Government

Air India made history when it became the first airline to fly in Saudi Arabian airspace en route to and from Israel. Israel’s own flag carrier, El Al Israel Airlines, however, says its government threw it under the bus and is seeking judicial help from the Supreme Court to address what it says is unfair competition because the Air India route allows the carrier to offer passengers a shorter and less expensive route between Israel and India. El Al says it violates the government’s promise to encourage “fair competition” when it was privatized about two decades ago. The issue is not insignificant. As relations between the two nations continue to warm, Israel’s tourism ministry reports a one-year increase in tourism from India in excess of 30 per cent.