Arkia Launches a New Program of Flights and Stays in Israel

How about spending a few days in a great hotel by the Dead Sea, enjoying the blue waters, desert sands, the oxygen-rich Mediterranean sky, a dozen relaxation and rejuvenation treatments, and a day trip to Jerusalem? This is the first plan that the Israeli airline Arkia will offer to travelers from Spain through the new Arkia representative in Spain, GSA Silon Aviation. The plan combines round-trip flights between Barcelona and Tel Aviv with transfers to one of the best hotels by the Dead Sea, a several-day stay at the hotel on a half-board basis, and a day trip to Jerusalem. All for a price that Silon Aviation estimates could be around 800 euros per person, all inclusive: flights, hotel, half board, transfers, and the excursion to Jerusalem. Additionally, as optional activities, the program would offer excursions to the fortress of Masada or the Qumran valley and the wide and appreciated variety of treatments available at the Dead Sea, rich in minerals and rejuvenating muds, one of the saltiest and warmest lakes on Earth, where it is impossible for swimmers to sink due to the saline density of its waters, which is nine times higher than the average recorded in oceans.

Currently, Arkia operates two weekly flights (Thursday and Sunday) between Barcelona and Tel Aviv, plus a third frequency on Tuesdays during peak season. In Tel Aviv, it offers domestic connections with other airports in Israel, such as Eilat, and a wide range of international connections. From Tel Aviv, Arkia flies to more than 25 international destinations, including major European capitals (Dublin, Oslo, Stockholm, Prague, Amsterdam, Moscow, Rome, Paris, and Berlin) and many tourist destinations in the Mediterranean region (Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, France, Croatia, and Italy).

Its fleet consists of Boeing 757-300, Embraer 195 AR, and ATR 72 aircraft, with four Boeing 787 (Dreamliner) and four Airbus 321 Neo expected to join soon. Last year, it transported nearly 1.7 million passengers.

More information at:www.arkia-airlines.es, reservas@arkia-airlines.es (email) and by phone at 915 670 446 and 900 102 632.

65 years of "Sky"

Arkia Israel Airlines is celebrating 65 years. It was founded in 1949, with the help of the main Israeli airline, El Al, with the aim of connecting the north and south of Israel: the airport in Tel Aviv with that of Eilat, near the beaches of the Red Sea. Its first name was Eilata, but in 1950 it was officially named Arkia, a Hebrew word meaning "sky." During its early years, it only flew within Israel, using Douglas DC3 aircraft, the popular Dakotas. In the 1960s, it began operating routes to Sharm-el-Sheikh in the Red Sea and to the beaches of Cyprus. Its international expansion began in the 80s and received a new boost in 2006 when most of its shares were acquired by its current owner, the Nakash business group. In the last ten years, Arkia has also developed as a tour operator, first with fly drive promotions (and later with travel packages that include hotels, transportation, excursions, and even combinations of international destinations), such as the option to combine a stay in Jerusalem and Petra, reaching the ancient capital of the Nabateans after a five-hour drive from Amman or just a couple of hours from the beaches of Eilat. The representative of the Israeli airline in Spain, Silon Aviation, will also include this combination of destinations, Jerusalem and Petra, in the upcoming Arkia promotions. The airline flies between Barcelona and Tel Aviv, starting from 180 euros per trip.