Until today, Italy was Israel’s only friend in Western Europe with which it did not have an air agreement. That situation was rectified yesterday when Israel’s Ambassador to Rome, Moshe Alon, and Italy’s Director General for Economic Affairs, Mario Mondelli, signed an agreement which permits EI AI and Alitalia to carry passengers to and from Italy and Israel, plus “two points beyond.”
Israel’s “two points” beyond Rome will be the U.S. and Mexico, while Italy has yet to specify its preferences in the Near East and far East. EI AI used to fly the Rome-U.S. route but dropped it in the past few years in line with company-to-company agreements with Alitalia. These agreements were renewed on a yearly basis and lacked the permanent status that air agreement regulations have. Basic principles and flight schedules were included in the agreement.
EI AI’s new ability to carry passengers to and from Rome to the U.S. and Mexico is considered important for Israel, Alon told Jewish news media reporters here yesterday. Hopes are that the “beyond points” will prove economically profitable for both countries and could lead to the promotion of further investments in equipment and auxiliary services, such as air-hotels and rental cars. At a future date, service might even be extended to South America. Negotiations were initiated in Jerusalem last October and concluded here with the signing of the agreement.
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