BA draws attention to Israel

After years of fending off attacks from surrounding Arab countries and terrorists, Israel has been added to British Airways' (BA) list of recommended destinations.

The airline no longer classes Israel as a war zone and the Jewish state will now be the focus of a sales campaign in the UK.

BA commercial manager Yael Katan said this is likely to result in increased tourism to major Israeli destinations such as its capital, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv.

In fact, tickets to Tel Aviv will now cost £113 instead of £160.

Since March 2006, BA has operated Boeing-777 planes on evening flights between Heathrow Airport and Tel Aviv to cater for the growing demand.

The planes replaced the smaller Boeing-767s, thereby providing an extra 1,360 seats a year.

Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the modern State of Israel and tourist numbers to the country are expected to rise.

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