China, which last month established full diplomatic relations with Israel, is preparing for the inauguration of direct air service between Tel Aviv and Beijing by Israel’s national air carrier, E1 A1, Israel Radio reported Tuesday.
The news was conveyed in a telephone interview with Isi Leibler of Australia, co-chair-man of the World Jewish Congress, who was speaking from Beijing.
Leibler, who owns a large travel business, had just had an hour-long meeting with Yung Yu Lin, director general of the Chinese Civil Aviation Corp., at which they discussed tourism.
Leibler said Yung told him he was ready to meet with a delegation from Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority to discuss direct charter flights by E1 A1 from Tel Aviv, to begin in about three months.
The Chinese official thought regular fights could start in about nine months, Leibler said. He quoted Yung as saying, “We will do everything possible to cut through all the normal obstacles and settle this matter very quickly.”
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