MONTREAL — Air Transat’s inaugural flight from Montreal to Tel Aviv, set to take off June 18, will offer passengers “a historic moment with a capital ‘H’,” says Jean-Marc Eustache, Founder and President and CEO, Transat A.T. Inc.

Some 200 elected officials, business community leaders and tourism partners gathered last night at the Montreal Science Centre to mark Air Transat’s upcoming service linking Montreal and Tel Aviv.

Transat’s Eustache co-hosted the event with Ziv Nevo Kulman, Consul General of Israel and Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“Since Air Transat’s announcement of a direct flight linking Montreal with Tel Aviv, we have seen a dramatic increase in interest for Israel as a tourist destination and eagerly welcome this wonderful opportunity to welcome thousands of passengers from Canada to our country,” said Kulman. “This direct air link presents travellers with an ideal chance to discover the riches of the Holy Land, the beauty of its landscapes and the diversity of its peoples, as well as the chance for Israelis to enjoy the 150th and 375th anniversary festivities in Canada and Montreal.”

Yariv Levin, Israeli Minister of Tourism, said he welcomes the decision by Transat to open a route into Israel. “Transat joins a lengthy list of airlines that are opening new direct routes to Israel and view Israel as an attractive tourism destination. This is a vote of confidence in the Israeli tourism product and I am convinced that the new route will be a success.”

Philippe Rainville, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aéroports de Montréal, noted that in addition to directly serving 21 European cities from Montreal, Air Transat is opening new markets to the Middle East with its Tel Aviv service.

The new route will be serviced by 332-seat A330-300s. Transat is offering 28 transatlantic destinations – Tel Aviv and 27 European centres – in summer 2017.