MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is fast-tracking plans to establish the first direct flight route between Manila and Tel Aviv, aiming to launch operations within 2026.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced the initiative following a meeting with an Israeli delegation led by Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh. The move follows a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expand the country’s international air connectivity and strengthen bilateral relations.
“We can start working on the direct flight from Israel to the Philippines,” Lopez said. “Rest assured that I’m going to work closely with Ambassador Aileen [Mendiola], the DFA, and other relevant government agencies.”
The DOTr chief affirmed the department’s commitment to establishing the route “at the soonest possible time,” with an internal goal of opening the skies between the two nations before the end of the year.
Ambassador Kursh noted that the Israeli government is “upbeat” about the proposal, citing significant interest from Israeli citizens in visiting the Philippines’ premier tourist destinations.
“I do identify this opportunity of business as a big opportunity and sky is the limit,” Ambassador Kursh said. “Let’s try to explore these opportunities both for Israelis and Filipinos.”
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Aileen Mendiola emphasized that the flights would serve as more than just a convenience for travelers, acting as a “conduit” for broader economic cooperation. “My long-range goal is actually investments, two-way investments, two-way projects,” Mendiola added.
The meeting was attended by key aviation officials to ensure the technical and regulatory requirements for the new route are met. Among those present were Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Jim Sydiongco, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Executive Director Atty. Carmelo Arcilla, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Raul Del Rosario.
The establishment of a direct Manila-Tel Aviv route is expected to significantly reduce travel time for the thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) based in Israel, as well as Filipino pilgrims and business travelers who currently rely on layovers in third-country hubs.
(PHOTO CREDIT: DOTr Facebook page)