Minister of Transportation Shaul Mofaz approved on Wednesday for Israeli airlines, Arkia and Israair, to fly regularly scheduled flights between Eilat and Moscow.

The direct flights are scheduled to get off the ground this January 15.

The joint Israeli-Russian agreement, which was signed this past November, will allow each country to operate six scheduled flights per week between Eilat and Moscow. A total of 12 direct, scheduled flights per week are planned. In addition to Russia's existing charter flights, Russian carrier Aeroflot will run the scheduled flight route to Eilat.

The Transportation Minister stated, "The appointment of Arkia and Israair as designated carriers between Eilat and Moscow will allow a significant growth of the number of tourists to Eilat."