Israel on Monday signed an “open skies” agreement with the European Union. The agreement was signed after ongoing negotiations that lasted over three years. According to Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, “Israelis will soon be able to travel to many more destinations for far less money. The process will be gradual, in order to enable Israeli airlines to adjust.” The Ministry said that traffic to and from Europe accounted for 60% of the arrivals and departures at Ben Gurion Airport.
Much of the delay in the agreement was due to Israel's attempts to insert clauses into the agreement that would protect Israeli airlines, which are afraid they will be driven off routes by cut-rate carriers from Europe. While prices could go down temporarily, said Yossi Patael, head of the Israel Travel Agents Association, “if Israeli airlines fall victim to this agreement it will end up costing us a great deal.”